House Passes Bills to Expand Background Checks for Gun Sales, Schumer Pledges Senate Vote

The House of Representatives passed two bills on Thursday strengthening background checks and closing loopholes for gun sales and transfers. The bills—the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act—passed in mostly party-line votes, with the former gaining eight Republican votes including its three Republican co-sponsors. The House passed a similar bill to the Bipartisan Background Checks Act in 2019, but then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not hold a vote on it. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer committed to holding a vote on the bill, but Senate Democrats would still need at least 10 Republican votes to overcome a Republican filibuster. Coverage of the bills themselves was more common in left- and center-rated outlets, with coverage in some right-rated outlets focusing on Schumer’s commitment. Some coverage in center- and right-rated outlets focused on Democrats’ support of the bills.