Senate Republicans are blocking the Domestic Terrorism Bill

Republicans in the Senate on Thursday blocked a bill that would create new federal services focused on domestic terrorism, halting debate over a measure passed by the House of Representatives after a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, that killed 10 blacks.

Why it matters: The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act would start a debate on gun measures after the deadly shooting at a school in Texas, and its failure highlights the challenges of advancing gun control legislation in a heavily divided Congress.

News move: The bill failed by 47-47 votes, less than the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican fraudster.

• The bill will create offices in the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the FBI focused on domestic terrorism, said Andrew Solender of Axios.
• The bill was initially opposed by progressive lawmakers, but a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store that killed 10 people sparked a new response from Congress.
• “I think it’s urgent given the current events,” spokesman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) Told Axios after the shooting.

Background: The failed vote comes just days after a gunman opened fire at a primary school in Uwalde, Texas, on Tuesday, killing 19 students and two teachers.

• The bill received little support from the Republican Party in the House of Representatives, and earlier this week did not appear to have the required Senate votes.

Status: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) on Wednesday appears to have indicated he will push for gun legislation before the Senate considers bills passed by the House of Representatives that have been blocked in the past.

• Sumer and other Democratic lawmakers remain skeptical that they will be able to reach a compromise, but the majority leader said he plans to continue voting for “accountability” in the Senate.
• Red Flag gun control laws have also emerged as a potential way forward after this week’s deadly shooting.

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Sofia Kai from Axios contributed to the report.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new details everywhere.