Engel, House Dems Reintroduce Assault Weapons Ban

Congressman Eliot Engel is the U.S. Representative for New York’s Congressional District 16.

WASHINGTON, DC —- February 18, 2019 — Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and a record 190 House Democrats have reintroduced H.R. 1296, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, legislation that would ban the sale, manufacture, or possession of new military-style assault weapons. The bill, authored by Rep. David Cicilline and originally cosponsored by Engel, would reinstate the ban on assault weapons that was allowed to lapse 15 years ago under Republican leadership.

“Last week marked the one year anniversary since 17 lives were taken by a weapon of war at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Nearly 40,000 Americans have been killed by guns since then. The American people, our children, our communities—we’ve all endured enough horror from gun violence,” Rep. Engel said. “Mass shootings have become so common in ...

President Donald Trump Declares a National Emergency to Secure Funding for a Border Wall
By HEZI ARIS

President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON, DC — February 15, 2019 — President Trump informed the public from the White House’s Rose Garden that, “We are going to confront the national security crisis on our southern border. I am going to be signing a national emergency … We are talking about an invasion of our country with drugs, with human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs.

POTUS’ announcement came as he agreed to sign a spending bill that prevents a government shutdown but fails to appropriate the necessary funding he seeks for building a wall along the American – Mexican border. In order to accomplish his goal to access $8 billion toward his effort he will face a formidable push-back from House Democrats who are expected to challenge the president through the courts.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat) were quick to condemn the decision, calling ...