The Senate amendment to expand background checks on gun purchases is expected to come to a vote around 4 p.m. today.
With prospects already looking bleak, gun-control supporters lost two key votes Wednesday, as Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) said they would oppose the measure, which needs 60 votes to navigate through the Senate.
In announcing her decision, Heitkamp became the first Democrat to publicly oppose the legislation. A few other red-state Democrats are on the fence.
As things stand Wednesday afternoon, 52 Senators are prepared to support the amendment; 42 Senators are opposed; and six are undecided. That means at least two Senators would have to flip his or her vote on the measure, which was put forth by Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
We'll be following the developments all day. Follow along below for the latest updates.
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