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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, March 7, 2004

Washington Week

Gannett News Service

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WASHINGTON — Here are key actions in Congress last week.

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.