Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn't think it's important enough to have a stand-alone vote to permanently fund the Zagroda Act, which would make sure that the heroes of September 11 have their health care needs covered. But it is important enough to take critical floor time—with the government funding countdown clock running—to fuck with Washington's gun laws.
Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) proposal to roll back gun control laws in Washington, D.C., is getting fast-tracked through the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) finished the procedural maneuver on Monday, allowing for the presidential contender's legislation to be placed directly on the Senate calendar where it could be scheduled for floor time. No vote has been scheduled. […]
Paul's proposal would require the District of Columbia to grant concealed carry permits to both District residents and nonresidents. It would also require the District to honor concealed carry licenses from other states and roll back D.C. laws that currently restrict gun and ammunition ownership.
Washington continues to be a political plaything for Congress. Need to get some press attention for your failing presidential campaign? Fuck with Washington's gun laws, or abortion laws, or whatever other attempt at governance the city has attempted. Because they can. On a whim, Congress can overturn decisions made by the city's mayor or city council—its elected officials—to make political points.
Which is what Rand Paul is all about. It's not likely to do anything for his presidential campaign, but the NRA will love it, anyway.