When the Texas Republican Party gathers tomorrow for a quarterly meeting, it will have plenty of business to attend to, including a censure vote targeting one of its ostensible allies. NBC News reported:
The Texas Republican Party is set to vote Saturday on a resolution that would censure Rep. Tony Gonzales because of a handful of defections in Congress from his GOP colleagues. Officials on the 64-member State Republican Executive Committee will vote on the censure resolution at its quarterly meeting in Austin, a party spokesperson said. … News of the coming vote was first reported by the San Antonio Report, a nonprofit local news organization.
Last May, a gunman massacred 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. About a month later, Congress approved the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which as we’ve discussed, included plenty of worthwhile provisions:
- The legislation creates resources for red flag grants to every state. Those that choose not to approve red flag laws will get related funds for other crisis prevention programs.
- It closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” restricting the gun rights of non-spouse dating partners who are convicted of domestic abuse.
- It makes new investments in mental health services and school-safety measures.
- It brings new clarity to laws regarding licensed gun dealers, as a way to strengthen the existing background-check system.
- It expands the background-check system for gun buyers under 21, allowing up to three days to conduct checks, and an extra 10 days if there are signs of concern.
- It creates new criminal penalties for firearm straw purchasing.
Reformers had plenty of other ambitious ideas in mind — including universal background checks, the restoration of the assault weapons ban, and bans on high-capacity magazines — but this was the compromise package that could pass both chambers. It picked up 15 Republican votes in the Senate, and 14 Republican votes in the House, including Gonzales’ support.
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