The Senate just advanced the bipartisan gun-safety bill past the threat of a Republican filibuster, setting up a final vote for later in the day today or Friday on the farthest-reaching gun legislation that Congress has considered in over three decades. The measure advanced in a 65-34 vote, at least 60 votes were needed. Senators say the 81-page Bipartisan Safer Communities Act may prevent future school mass shootings by providing more than $8 billion for children and family mental health services, school safety officers and efforts to harden and improve security at school buildings. It would close the so-called boyfriend loophole by barring people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses from purchasing or owning firearms, although they could have their rights restored after a period of at least five years. It would clarify the definition of gun dealers by requiring people who buy and sell a large number of guns for profit register as Federal Firearm Licensees, which means they would have to conduct background checks for those transactions. Under Senate rules, senators can insist on up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate but Senate leadership aides said they hoped to get the bill wrapped up by Thursday afternoon. The House would next have to take up the bill before it can be signed into law. It is not yet clear how quickly the bill could move through both chambers, but if the Senate holds a final passage vote Thursday evening, the House could pass the measure soon after. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) said that if the Senate passes the gun safety bill on Thursday, the House will convene and pass it Thursday as well.
The Senate is also expected to vote on the Motion to discharge the nomination of Jessica G. L. Clarke, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York
For today, the House may consider H.R. 4176 – LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act which would require federal agencies to improve the collection of data related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics, while safeguarding the privacy and safety of LGBTQI+ respondents, and ensuring that providing information about LGBTQI+ status is always optional on a federal survey.
The House may also consider up to eleven bills under suspension of the Rules.
