Rep. Roe says Senate should pass background check legislation that he voted against

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. --- While members of Congress remain in their home districts for the August recess, Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN 1) says he supports calls from Democrats to reconvene the Senate early to vote on background check legislation, in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

Two bills passed by the House in February -- H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112 -- addressed background checks and "red flag" laws. Roe voted against both pieces of legislation but told News 5 he hopes the Senate approved the measures.

"I think, certainly, we're not going to fix it in the month of August this is going to be a years process but you don't get there until you start so I think absolutely if they need to do that, that would be fine," Roe said.

Asked by News 5's John Engel if he hopes the Senate passes the background check bill, Roe replied: "Yes, I would. Absolutely."

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA 9) also voted against the bills but said he would not support passage of the measures in the Senate. He called the bills a "wish list" for Democrats.

"The president has extended an offer to work with the Democrats. I will read the bills. As long as due process is preserved, I have no problem with things like red flag laws but you've got to have due process," Griffith said.