President Donald Trump shocked a bipartisan group of lawmakers Wednesday when he called for a series of changes to current gun laws, including comprehensive background checks and age limits for buyers.
And Florida Congressman Darren Soto told Cheddar that, if changes aren’t made, this will be a major issue come midterms.
“This will absolutely be one of those litmus test issues that can really swing a lot of voters,” he said in an interview before the president’s comments. “We’re talking about our young people keeping up their energy until the November elections.”
The latest developments come two weeks after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Survivors have sparked a nationwide #NeverAgain movement and even discussed gun control with high-profile Republican legislators, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and the commander-in-chief.
Soto said this isn’t the first time one group has been able to effect change at the ballot. He pointed to Democrat Margaret Good, who won Florida’s 72nd House district, a usually Republican area, the day before the Parkland, Fla., shooting.
“We saw that in the special election recently in Florida, that Republican women, suburban women who were independent, have come out in favor of Democrats,” he said. “They see that the Republicans aren’t willing to do anything to help protect our kids.”
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rep-darren-soto-speaker-ryans-gun-control-comments-a-real-shame).
Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed interest rates remaining near zero and continuation of asset purchases but declined to speak to the ongoing GameStop drama.
Stuck in the grip of a viral pandemic, the U.S. economy grew at a 4% annual rate in the final three months of 2020 and shrank last year by the largest amount in 74 years.
Stock Swings, Climate Change & Young Tony Soprano
President Joe Biden is undertaking what would be the most ambitious effort to cut America’s oil, gas and coal emissions and stave off the worst effects of climate change.
The Doomsday Clock remains as close to midnight as it has ever been – just 100 seconds to midnight.
The Federal Reserve pledged on Wednesday to keep its low interest rate policies in place even well after the economy has sustained a recovery from the viral pandemic.
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke with Cheddar about why the time is right to pass marijuana legalization in light of COVID and budget shortfalls.
Rallies, celebrations, and marches all over Brooklyn on Friday to celebrate the actual end of slavery 155 years ago, took on added significance in the wake of high profile police killings of Black Americans.
In New York City, residents are lining up for the vaccine even as the distribution chain becomes strained. Cheddar's Chloe Aiello follows the reservation process and how the state will manage its supply of vaccines.
For many homeless people, in NYC, the overnight subway shutdown is leaving them with nowhere to go especially as coronavirus infections spread throughout shelters.
