Gun Control, Tim Murphy, and Tax Reform: This Week in Congress
The House passes anti-abortion and budgetary legislation, Rep. Tim Murphy resigns from Congress after an embarrassing mistress scandal, and Congress ponders gun control legislation in light of the Las Vegas shooting.
House Passes Budget, Paving Way for Tax Reform
On Thursday, the House banded together to pass a budget resolution that includes provisions to ensure the success of future GOP tax reform legislation. Votes on the budget resolution fell down party lines, with all House Democrats issuing “no” votes. The resolution brings GOP lawmakers one step closer to issuing the controversial tax reform that the Trump administration has been so fervently pushing.
Republicans Open to Banning ‘Bump Stocks’ Used in Massacre
In light of the tragic shooting that occurred in Las Vegas earlier this week, all eyes are on Congress to see whether lawmakers can band together to pass commonsense gun reform legislation. In a promising twist, Republicans in Congress indicated on Wednesday that they would be open to legislation barring the sale of “bump stocks,” items that were used by the Las Vegas shooter to speed up the rate of fire of semiautomatic weapons. This policy shift, while relatively minor in a scope, is a positive step towards a bipartisan legislative solution to gun violence.
Rep. Tim Murphy Resigns from Congress After Allegedly Asking Woman to Have Abortion
This week, Rep. Tim Murphy [R-PA-18] caused a stir after news reports revealed that he had allegedly recommended to his mistress that she receive an abortion after becoming pregnant. Murphy, who is a strong supporter of anti-abortion legislation and a member of the House Pro-Life Caucus, claimed that the alleged messages were written by a staffer and claimed no responsibility for the messages’ content. However, after stating that he would not be running for office in future elections, Murphy announced his ultimate resignation from Congress on Thursday, claiming that he made the decision after “discussion with [his] family.”
In Shift, Justice Dept. Says Law Doesn’t Bar Transgender Discrimination
In the Justice Department’s latest rebuke of Obama-era civil rights policy, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Thursday that the Justice Department would no longer take the position that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes protections for transgender people. The law, which advocates for workplace protections based on sex, was interpreted by Obama-era Attorney General Eric Holder as extending to individuals of varying gender identities, including transgender individuals.
House Passes Ban on Abortion After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy
With a vote of 237–189, the House on Thursday passed legislation that will ban the administration of abortions after 20 weeks in pregnancy. The bill, which has the support of President Trump and many of his advisers, includes exceptions only in cases of rape and incest and for mothers whose health is endangered by pregnancy. The bill will head onward to the Senate, where its fate is less certain.
Trump Plans to Declare that Iran Nuclear Deal Is Not In the National Interest
Advisers close to President Trump have revealed that the President intends to step away from the Iran Nuclear Deal, the controversial deal with Iran initiated by President Obama to keep nuclear weapons out of Iran’s hands. Trump spent much of his presidential campaign criticizing the deal, but this would be his first real step as president to move away from the deal.
Meanwhile, over on IssueVoter, three new bills entered Congress this week!
H.Con.Res.71 (PASSED) would establish the Congressional budget for 2018.
H.R. 3668 would ease firearm regulations and increase access to suppressors. *This bill is awaiting a vote, so there’s still time to contact your rep via the link above!*
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