Ending the June work period, last night the Senate approved the bipartisan legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people, after a small group of Republicans joined Senate Democrats to break through their party’s longstanding blockade of gun safety measures. The Senate passed the measure 65 to 33, with 15 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), breaking ranks to side with Democrats in support of the measure. Two Republican senators were absent. The House is expected to pass the legislation early this afternoon between 1-2 P.M., after it cleared the House Rules Committee this morning. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, imposes a more lengthy background check process for gun buyers under 21, funds mental health needs and closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole” to prevent convicted domestic abusers from purchasing a firearm for five years. The legislation also includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs and incentives for states to include juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The significant changes to the process when someone ages 18 to 21 goes to buy a firearm and closing the boyfriend loophole is a victory for Democrats, who have long fought for those provisions.
The Senate has adjourned for the July 4th recess, and will reconvene at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, July 11. During the next two weeks, the Senate is expected to hold pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times: Tuesday, June 28th at 3:30 P.M., Friday, July 1st at 8:30 A.M., Tuesday, July 5th at 6:25 A.M., and Thursday, July 7th at 10:00 A.M.
As the House awaits a vote on the gun legislation, it is expected to consider the Senate Amendment to the House Amendment to S. 2089 – Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 and seven bills under suspension of the Rules. When the House goes into recess today, it will next convene on Tuesday, July 12th at 6:30 P.M.
Adam S. Olsen, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. Daily Update will next publish on Tuesday, July 12th.
