In prime time address, Biden calls for action on guns
House panel advances gun package
President Biden urges Congress to do something on gun violence. A House panel approves a package of gun bills. And Donald Trump is still consumed by his 2020 election loss. This is “Regular Order” for June 3, 2022.
BIDEN. In a prime time plea for action, President Biden last night called on Congress to approve new plans to combat gun violence, arguing recent mass shootings showed something must be done to prevent the killing of innocent Americans. "How much more carnage are we willing to accept?" Biden asked.
ENOUGH. If there was one word that came up multiple times from the President, it was 'enough’ - that it was past time for action on guns. “Over the last two decades, more school-age children have died from guns than on-duty police officers and active duty military combined,” Mr. Biden said.
SPECIFICS. This wasn't a broad brush speech about guns. President Biden got down into the weeds and signaled very specifically what he wanted Congress to approve in order to reduce gun violence. He stressed repeatedly that this was not about gun confiscation. His plan consisted of these items:
Ban assault weapons - if not, then raise the purchase age from 18 to 21.
Limit high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Expand background checks with two House-passed bills.
Safe storage laws, with personal liability if someone takes your gun and uses it in a crime.
A federal ‘red flag’ law like those already passed in 19 states.
Repeal the liability lawsuit shield for gun manufacturers.
Expand mental health resources available in schools.
HOUSE. As President Biden spoke to the nation, the House Judiciary Committee voted 25-19 to approve a package of gun restrictions. In debate, Democrats on the panel turned up their rhetoric against GOP lawmakers. "Are you here for our kids, or are you here for the killers?" asked Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA).
DETAILS. The House bill would raise the federal age to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21 - that's the same age under federal law already to buy a handgun. The bill would restrict high-capacity ammunition magazines, add new regulations on ghost guns, and new penalties for gun trafficking.
GOP. Republicans were indignant as Democrats accused them of actively doing nothing about gun violence. "You think we don't have hearts?" said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), as GOP lawmakers charged the plan would violate the Constitution.
SCALIA. But Democrats were ready with their retort, repeatedly quoting the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who said “the Second Amendment is not unlimited.” “Spare me the bullshit about constitutional rights,” Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) bluntly told Republicans on Thursday.
ANIMALS. One defense used by the GOP for young people buying assault rifles is their use against animals. "An AR-15 is a gun of choice for killing raccoons before they get to our chickens," said Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO). Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) recently said his constituents use the AR-15 to kill feral pigs.
BILLS. The package will be voted on next week by the House, but it's unlikely to go anywhere in the U.S. Senate, where it would need 60 votes to get around a GOP filibuster.
OLD BIDEN. Republicans pulled out old quotes from Sen. Joe Biden in 1985 to make their case against any gun restrictions. "I am convinced that a criminal who wants a firearm can get one through illegal, untraceable, unregistered sources, with or without gun control," Biden said back then.
ONE NOTE. While that still holds true today, it should be pointed out that most mass shootings don't involve someone illegally obtaining firearms.
NUMBERS. A study by the National Institute of Justice released back in February found "77% of those who engaged in mass shootings purchased at least some of their guns legally, while illegal purchases were made by 13% of those committing mass shootings."
SENATE TALKS. Senators involved in talks on gun violence continue to give off positive vibes about those discussions. "I’m optimistic about the direction we're going and look forward to continuing to work together to create the best possible product," said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).
FOX NEWS. Knowing full well that many Republicans want no part of any gun law changes, lead Democratic negotiator Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) took the step of writing an op-ed for Fox News. "The only thing we cannot do about gun violence is nothing," Murphy wrote. "Inaction cannot be our answer."
CAPITOL ATTACK. The special committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump will hold a prime time hearing next Thursday, June 9 at 8 pm EDT. It's the start of what's expected to be a series of public hearings where the panel lays out its findings.
HEARING. "The committee will present previously unseen material," the panel announced yesterday. It's not yet clear who will testify publicly before the panel, which has taken closed-door testimony for months from hundreds of witnesses.
SCHEDULE. At this point, it’s anticipated that the Jan. 6 panel will have a half dozen public hearings over two weeks in June, far fewer than the 51 hearings held by the Senate Watergate committee, which stretched over 6 months in 1973.
ARIZONA SENATE. Donald Trump waded into the GOP race for U.S. Senate in Arizona on Thursday, endorsing venture capitalist Blake Masters. In a statement, Trump called Masters a 'successful businessman" and a 'fantastic student.' It's possible Trump's endorsement could boost Masters the way he pushed J.D. Vance to victory in the Ohio GOP Senate primary.
2020. But Trump couldn't just make an endorsement. He used much of his statement to attack Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who is also running for Senate. Why? Brnovich committed the mortal sin of not pursuing Trump's never-ending false accusations of election fraud from 2020.
TRUMP. "Arizona is a state where the 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen," Trump said, labeling Brnovich 'such a disappointment.' For those of you living in Georgia, this is basically what happened with Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp. Will the result be the same? The primary is on August 2.
MISSOURI SENATE. Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) continues his unorthodox campaign for U.S. Senate in the Show-Me State. On Thursday, he tweeted out what he said was his platform, which involves Kamala Harris resigning, and Joe Biden picking Donald Trump as the new Vice President. Yes, Long wants Trump’s endorsement.
TRUST FUNDS. The latest update on the financial health of the Medicare and Social Security systems is about what one might expect - somewhat concerning. Unless changes are made, Medicare will become insolvent in 2028 and Social Security in 2035. On the bright side, it was a year better than the last report.
SOCIAL SECURITY. The main problem at Social Security is simple. Not enough money is being raised to pay the cost of benefits. Currently, workers pay Social Security taxes until they make over $147,000. That means if you make $2 million, you only pay the payroll tax on the first $147,000.
MEDICARE. The report on the Medicare system was all flashing-red lights. "Current-law projections indicate that Medicare still faces a substantial financial shortfall that will need to be addressed," the report stated. "Such legislation should be enacted sooner rather than later."
CONGRESS. Can you imagine the House and Senate right now cooperating on a bill to fix the financial solvency of these two programs? Of course you can't. So, lawmakers are more likely to bumble along until there is an immediate financial crisis involving one or both of those programs.
GUN PORN. We've had several lawmakers use virtual Congressional hearings over the past two years to show off their guns. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) was the latest on Thursday. It led to a somewhat awkward exchange.
REGULAR ORDER. On Fridays, we welcome back our weekly subscribers. Consider a daily subscription and support my independent reporting on Capitol Hill. Or as my daughter says, give the 'gift of straight news' to someone you know!
MUSE OF HISTORY. June 3, 1868. James Buchanan is considered by many historians to be the worst President of the United States. On this date, the House refused to even vote on a resolution marking Buchanan's death. "Mr. Buchanan was once a distinguished member of this House," protested Rep. George Woodward of Pennsylvania, whose resolution acknowledged the 'diversities of opinion' about Buchanan. In other words - a lot of Republicans hated him. "The grave shall bury the man's faults," said Rep. John Farnsworth of Illinois, but Farnsworth said he could not vote for a resolution which said ‘the motives of Mr. Buchanan were always patriotic and pure.' The House voted 74-48 to table the matter.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:
The House is back for votes on June 7.
The Senate returns on Monday.
President Biden’s daily schedule link.
Follow me on Twitter @jamiedupree. Email me at jamiedupree@substack.com
"Currently, workers pay Social Security taxes until they make over $147,000. That means if you make $2 million, you only pay the payroll tax on the first $147,000."
This is the best-kept secret in America. Nearly all hourly workers and many receiving a fixed salary haven't a clue that middle managers, executives, founders and savvy investors look forward every year to when their personal earnings jump the tax fence. For the rest of the year they make no further FICA "contributions" until the following January when their SS taxes begin again.
The percentage of covered workers whose earnings exceed the tax max has been relatively flat (about 6%) since the Eighties. But the earnings of those in the upper income scale have skyrocketed. The wage gap between rich and poor is unimaginable for most people. And these are the people dropping endless "contributions" into the world of politics. It is no accident that high-income earners and "special interests" get maximum tax advantages.
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/policybriefs/pb2011-02.html#:~:text=Although%20the%20nominal%20value%20of,constant%20since%20the%20mid%2D1980s.
I e said this before but The Muse of History alone is worth the subscription price!