Dems toe delicate line on assault weapons ban
House Democratic leaders are toeing a delicate line with their promise to consider legislation this summer banning assault weapons — a politically explosive concept that divides both the Congress and the country. The issue has been front-and-center in the national gun-reform debate following a recent string of high-profile mass shootings, including the May 14 massacre at a grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y., and another 10 days later at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were killed. In both cases, a lone, 18-year-old gunman is al
Read MoreThe Memo: First phase of Jan. 6 hearings sharpens dangers for Trump
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Read MoreDemocrats cool to Biden's proposed gas tax holiday
President Biden’s push for a gas tax suspension amid soaring fuel prices is receiving a cool reception among Democrats on Capitol Hill. Party leadership did not commit to taking up a gas tax moratorium, which requires an act of Congress, and the caucus remains largely divided on the issue. But, even if Democrats were unified, pausing the tax would face an uphill battle in the Senate because of Republican opposition. Biden on Wednesday officially endorsed the idea of a gas tax holiday – calling on Congress to suspend the 18-cent tax for 90 days — an
Read MoreBiden officials detail maternal health crisis plan
The Biden administration has released a plan focused on addressing the country's maternal health crisis, seeking to push states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and expand access to maternal services. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation. Senior administration officials said the blueprint released Friday is aimed at combating that disparity, using various actions developed over 18 months and centered around equity. The first priority of the White House blueprint encourages states to extend the required postpartum Medicaid coverag
Read MorePelosi says House will take up gun safety bill 'first thing' Friday morning
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced on Thursday that the House will take up the Senate-passed gun safety bill “first thing” Friday morning, after the legislation cleared the upper chamber in a bipartisan vote. “First thing tomorrow morning, the Rules Committee will meet to advance this life-saving legislation to the Floor. When the Rules Committee finishes its business, we will head immediately to the Floor,” Pelosi wrote in a statement minutes after the Senate approved the measure. “And we will send the bill t
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