Today on the Hill: House Begins Push to Reform Gun Background Checks

Following passage (245-182) of a resolution of disapproval that would block President Trump’s national emergency declaration, House Democrats have teed up another major issue on their policy platform — gun control. House lawmakers are set to consider a bill (H.R. 8) that aims to strengthen the existing gun background check system by mandating universal background checks — thus closing a loophole for buyers online and at gun shows —ensuring individuals prohibited from gun possession are not able to obtain firearms. After passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the lower chamber will consider a bill (H.R. 1112) that would extend the initial background check review period to 10 days from three. While both measures are expected to easily pass the House, their fates are uncertain in the GOP-controlled Senate and White House as President Trump ponders a potential veto.

In the upper chamber, Senators will resume clearing the presidential nominee queue. The Senate will hold a final roll call vote today on the nomination of Michael Desmond to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury. Following the vote on the Desmond nomination, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is likely to call up the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).