A Filibuster on Guns. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy began a talking filibuster on the Senate floor in an attempt to force Republicans to approve legislation that would require universal background checks and prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. Democrats hope to attach these two ideas as amendments onto a spending bill that’s currently in consideration. Republican Senator John Cornyn said imposing the “no-fly, no-buy” ban is a lot more “nuanced” than it appears: “We’re trying,” he said. (Burgess Everett and Seung Min Kim, Politico)
No Rate Hike—Yet. The Federal Reserve said in a statement that it will keep interest rates unchanged due to uncertainty in the U.S. jobs market and global economic development. The statement said it needs to see more certain job growth before it raises interest rates. Economists predict that a rate hike could be implemented in July. (Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press)
Tomorrow in One Paragraph. President Obama will visit Orlando, Florida, to pay tribute to the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting. Donald Trump will campaign in Texas, and Bernie Sanders is expected to address his supporters on a live video stream at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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Top Read
“The fundamental difference between Obama and Trump on issues related to Islamist extremism (apart from the obvious, such as that, unlike Trump, Obama a) has killed Islamist terrorists; b) regularly studies the problem and allows himself to be briefed by serious people about the problem; and c) is not racist or temperamentally unsuitable for national leadership) is that Trump apparently believes that two civilizations are in conflict.” The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg on what President Obama thinks about “radical Islam.”
Top Lines
Focus Your Sights. Here’s a look at the top 10 American gunmakers, who, combined, produce more than 8 million firearms per year. (Josh Harkinson, Mother Jones)
The Split. From economic motivations to distrust in the party, writers and academics offer 19 key reasons why Democrats will remain divided between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in 2016. (New Republic)
A Ritual Reaction. Liberal and conservative Americans all responded to Sunday’s massacre in Orlando with tired, comfortable excuses, because they are afraid of confronting the challenge before the country. (Jonah Goldberg, The National Review)
Top View
Around the World in 50 States. This map compares the GDP of every U.S. state with those of other countries around the world. (Elena Holodny, Business Insider)
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-Written by Elaine Godfrey (@elainejgodfrey)
