Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell threw his weight Tuesday behind a bipartisan gun deal reached by Senate negotiators, buoying hopes for passage.
Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said he would be comfortable voting for the deal provided it did not change significantly from the framework announced Sunday and agreed to by more than 20 lawmakers.
“For myself, I’m comfortable with the framework,” he said. “If the legislation ends up reflecting what the framework indicates, I’ll be supportive.”
Mr. McConnell is the 11th Republican to back the deal — an important number since most legislation requires at least 60 votes to pass the evenly split Senate.