Sources: Talks Ongoing Between White House & Key Senate Aides on Guns
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: We're back with the politics lead. In an era of particular political nastiness, the White House and congressional aides from both parties have started talks about expanding background checks for gun sales. There is a lot of skepticism that a deal can ultimately be reached, but as CNN's Pamela Brown now reports for us, President Trump has been privately telling his team he thinks he needs to take a concrete step on this issue.</s>REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): We must pass gun violence prevention legislation. Every day we lose lives.</s>PAMELA BROWN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today continuing to put pressure on the president and Senate Republicans to take up gun control legislation, following last week's two deadly mass shootings.</s>PELOSI: So we need to do that. And we need to do it soon.</s>BROWN: Behind the scenes, CNN is learning the administration is quietly talking with Senate staffers about a bill that includes expanded background checks. A move the president seems to favor.</s>DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I would like to see meaningful background checks and I think something will happen.</s>BROWN: The early talks which a source describes as informational, not substantive, involves staffers for Republican Senator Pat Toomey and Democrats Joe Manchin and Chris Murphy.</s>SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): I know in the end, Republicans aren't going to support background checks legislation unless the president supports it. I remain pessimistic that that's how this is going to play out.</s>BROWN: With the August recess dragging on, other Democrats on Capitol Hill are also skeptical. One Democratic aide saying, I don't feel like they're any more serious than the last ten conversations on guns.</s>IVANKA TRUMP, FIRST DAUGHTER: There is a strong pull --</s>BROWN: The president's daughter Ivanka Trump has also been actively involved, having several conversations with lawmakers about gun policy this week.</s>BROWN: And White House aides are expected to update President Trump later this week on any progress from these gun talks. President Trump has told his advisers in recent days that he does want to take a concrete step and do something meaningful, not just something that is symbolic. This is according to people familiar with the matter. So, Jake, it remains to be seen if that will actually happen.</s>TAPPER: Pamela Brown, traveling with the president in New Jersey, thanks so much. The Democrats' best chances of winning control of the Senate could come down to three candidates already running but they're not running for Senate. Stay with us.