- - - THIS WEEK: MARCH 2, 2018 - - -

Hill Headlines

Meeting on Gun Violence: President Trump and members of Congress from both parties met to discuss solutions to gun violence in the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida last month. To the surprise of many in attendance, President Trump expressed support for expanding background checks and raising the minimum age for assault weapon purchases.

Legislative Updates

Age 21 Act Act: Sen. Flake (R-AZ) and Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S. 2470, which would raise the minimum age for buying an assault weapon to 21.

Assault Weapons Ban: Rep. Cicilline (D-RI-1) filed H.R. 5087, which would end the sale, possession, or importation of semiautomatic assault weapons. If the bill were to become law, the ban would not apply to those that were obtained prior to the law going into effect.

Terrorist Firearm Prevention Act: Sen. Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 2458, a bipartisan bill that would prevent people who are on the No Fly List - whether correctly or incorrectly - from purchasing firearms.

Banking Deregulation: The Senate is set to bring S. 2115, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, to the floor for a debate. The bill, which has bipartisan support and some Democratic opposition, would roll back some banking regulations included in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, particularly for smaller banks and credit unions.

Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act: Sen. Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Daines (R-MT) introduced S. 2474, which would help workers consolidate and access their savings across different retirement accounts from past jobs.

Hill Events

DHN Hill Day

Poligon participated in a Hill advocacy day with other organizations in the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN), including ISNA and Network Lobby. We met with the offices of Rep. Davis (R-IL-13), Sen. Blunt (R-MO), and others to advocate for protecting programs like SNAP (food stamps) that provide vital aid to Americans in poverty.

Further Reading

‘No Fly No Buy’ bill allows politicians to evade white supremacist gun violence | ThinkProgress | March 1, 2018

GOP asks Supreme Court to block new Pennsylvania congressional maps | CNN | February 27, 2018

Five Gun Control Bills Congress Could Pass Right Now In Wake Of Florida Shooting | Newsweek | February 22, 2018

Hill Buzz

On the Age 21 Act:

“This bipartisan fix is long overdue, and would’ve made as much sense before the tragedy in Parkland as it does after.” - Sen. F lake (R-AZ)

“While we need to do much more to reform our gun laws, ensuring teenagers can’t legally buy weapons of war is a commonsense step forward.” - Sen. Feinstein (D-CA)

On Banning Assault Weapons:

“Assault weapons were made...to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time. They do not belong in our communities." - Rep. Cicilline (D-RI-1)

“We shouldn't be banning guns for law-abiding citizens.” - Rep. Ryan (R-WI-1)

On "No Fly No Buy":

“If you are considered to be too dangerous to fly on an airplane, you should not be able to buy a firearm.” - Sen. Collins (R-ME)

“Unless we pass this legislation, this glaring loophole will keep allowing individuals identified as terror suspects to buy guns.” - Sen. Heinrich (D-NM)

From the CNN Town Hall on Gun Violence in Florida:

“Your determination gives me more determination to see this through and get some common-sense laws with regards to guns in America.” - Sen. N elson (D-FL)

“The problems that we're facing here today cannot be solved by gun laws alone." - Sen Rubio (R-FL)

Poligon Education Fund is working tirelessly to 1) monitor and hold accountable all Congressional action taken on issues that deeply impact the lives of everyday Muslim Americans and 2) educate Muslim Americans on effective advocacy and Congressional engagement. We can continue this important work with your generous support. Please take time to make a contribution.

Poligon Education Fund is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to amplifying Muslim American voices in Congress.