Washington Week
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — Here are key actions in Congress last week.
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Key Senate votes:
1. Assault weapons
The Senate on Tuesday passed, 52-47, an amendment to a gun liability bill for a 10-year extension of a ban on military-style assault weapons. A "yea" vote was to adopt the amendment.
Hawai'i votes: Daniel Akaka (D), yea; Dan Inouye (D), yea
2. Gun show sales
The Senate on Tuesday passed, 53-46, an amendment to a gun liability bill that would require background checks on purchases from private gun shows where at least 75 guns are sold.
Hawai'i votes: Akaka, yea; Inouye, yea.
Also Tuesday, the Senate voted 90-8 to reject a bill that would limit the civil liability of gunmakers and dealers. Sens. John Breaux, D-La., Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Richard Lugar, R-Ind., John McCain, R-Ariz., Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and George Voinovich supported the bill by voting "yea."
In a voice vote Thursday, the Senate passed a trade bill designed to excuse companies from paying duties on imports if there is no domestic source for the items.
Key House votes:
On Wednesday, the House passed by voice vote a bill that would give a panel investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks two extra months, until July 26, to issue its final report.
Also Wednesday, the House passed on a 406-0 vote a bill that would establish three new judgeships to determine copyright royalty rates and the distribution of royalties.
