Senate adopts #gun provision among amendments to #SpendingBill
Several Democrats join Republicans on gun provision
October 25, 2023
"Several Democrats joined Republicans in the 53-45 vote to adopt Kennedy’s amendment that would overturn the requirement that the Department of Veterans Affairs send a beneficiary’s name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System whenever a financial professional is appointed to help that person manage VA benefits.
"Kennedy’s amendment would prohibit the #VA secretary from transmitting a veteran’s personal information to the FBI unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.
"Gun-control advocates, including Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., have warned that enactment of the amendment would lead to a surge in #suicides among #veterans who own #firearms.
"Democratic Sens. #JonTester of Montana, #JoeManchin III of West Virginia and #JackyRosen of Nevada, along with independent Sens. #KyrstenSinema of Arizona and #AngusKing of #Maine, who caucus with the #Democrats, voted to adopt the amendment. All have terms expiring in 2025, though Manchin and Sinema have not said whether they will run again."
Note this...
"VA and Defense Department health information systems" is not yet electronic -- meaning records can't easily be transferred in a timely fashion. A bill to upgrade the system, "has been plagued by delays, cost overruns and technical snafus."
https://rollcall.com/2023/10/25/senate-adopts-gun-provision-among-amendments-to-spending-bill/