Senate Republicans block domestic terrorism bill, preventing gun debate


GOP lawmakers in the Senate on Thursday blocked a bill intended to combat domestic terrorism, preventing the legislation from advancing, CNN reports.
The 47-47 vote arrives just days after a gunman opened fire inside an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school, killing at least 21, including 19 children. The bill initially passed the House last week after 10 were killed in a racially-motivated shooting spree in Buffalo, New York.
The legislation would have created offices inside the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and the FBI that are dedicated to investigating and analyzing threats of white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
GOP senators argued the legislation is unnecessary because "politically motivated violence is already covered by existing laws," The Hill summarizes. The lawmakers were also concerned the bill would allow for improper surveillance of political groups.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday asked his Republican colleagues to let the Senate at least debate the bill, which he said could be used as a vehicle for both Democratic and Republican amendments regarding gun and school safety, The Wall Street Journal writes.
"What an insult it is to put a bill before the House and say our Marines are consumed with white supremacy and neo-Nazism," GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said ahead of the vote.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Can Trump put his tariffs on stronger legal footing?
Today's Big Question Appeals court says 'emergency' tariffs are improper
-
Film reviews: The Roses, Splitsville, and Twinless
Feature A happy union devolves into domestic warfare, a couple's open marriage reaps chaos, and an unlikely friendship takes surprising turns
-
Thought-provoking podcasts you may have missed this summer
The Week Recommends Check out a true crime binger, a deep-dive into history and more
-
Can Trump put his tariffs on stronger legal footing?
Today's Big Question Appeals court says 'emergency' tariffs are improper
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official says
Speed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft