A bill to bolster the nation’s background check system and additional money for school safety are included in a nearly-finalized deal to fund the government for the next six months.
The legislation excludes traditional gun control language sought by Democrats, such as expanding background checks or restricting certain weapons and ammunition.
The Fix NICS legislation would provide incentives and penalties to help increase reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System used to screen gun purchases.
The measure passed the House in December, but included a sweetener for Republicans: an expansion of reciprocity for concealed-carry permit holders.
The current deal leaves out the concealed carry measure, which could anger dozens of Republican lawmakers and perhaps cost GOP votes on the spending package.
The spending bill package also includes a bill authored by former sheriff Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., that provides $50 million in grants to train students, teachers, school officials, and police “how to identify and intervene early when signs of violence arise, construct anonymous reporting systems, and implement school threat assessment protocols to prevent school shootings before they occur.”
The bill passed the House last week with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“We are pleased with the progress made and getting our priorities met,” a GOP aide said.
