House to take up assault weapons ban Friday, Pelosi tells colleagues
House to take up assault weapons ban Friday, Pelosi tells colleagues The Washington Post
Today, the full House passed legislation that would ban assault weapons for the first time in nearly two decades. The measure stands virtually no chance in the evenly divided Senate, but Democrats hope that House passage will send a message that the party is serious about gun-safety legislation following a spate of high-profile mass shootings across the country.
Earlier Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) held a ceremony to celebrate passage of the $280 billion Chips and Science Act, a measure that would subsidize domestic semiconductor manufacturing and invest billions in science and technology innovation. The legislation now goes to President Biden for his signature.
Meanwhile, Pelosi did not say whether she intends to visit Taiwan when asked about an upcoming trip to Asia during her weekly news conference. Her office has been silent on her plans to this point, citing security issues. Some Biden administration officials are concerned that Chinese leaders would see a visit by Pelosi to Taiwan as a provocation.
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On our radar: Pelosi travels to Asia, Biden makes Delaware return
Friday is the last day the House is in session until the end of the August recess — that is, if they’re not called back to vote on the Senate Democrats’ reconciliation package. Next week is the Senate’s last before they head out to recess, and it’s likely to be a busy one. Here’s what we’re watching:
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is leaving for Asia on Friday, but there is no clarity on whether she will visit Taiwan. The speaker is expected to lead a congressional delegation to the continent.
- The Senate has a busy week ahead — with reconciliation at the top of the to-do list. Given that there is little to no chance that a single Republican will vote for the Democrats’ reconciliation package — which prioritizes spending to combat inflation and climate change — Democrats will need every last vote from their caucus to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer also plans to bring back the PACT Act on relief for veterans suffering from effects of burn pits for a vote on Monday after Republicans blocked the bill from advancing on Wednesday.
- Biden will spend Sunday in Wilmington, Del. The president has no public events scheduled for Saturday, but he’ll return to Wilmington after a few weeks away because of his covid isolation.
