Senate Panel Passes Assault-Weapons Ban Bill; Bill Sparks Tension During The Meeting

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would reinstate a federal ban on assault weapons.  The bill, which was introduced by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA), passed in a party line vote: 10 Democrats approved it, while the eight Republicans rejected it.

The legislation will now head to the Senate floor where it is likely to face a lot of opposition.

The controversial proposal would ban 157 assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.   However, Republicans like Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa have spoken out against it due to concern the ban restricts the rights of lawful gun owners and could be overturned on constitutional grounds.  

Earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced bills to enact near-universal background checks and stop gun trafficking.  Thursday's bill is the most controversial measure since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last December.

During the meeting, tension rose between freshman Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Feinstein, a senior Democrats on the Senate.

The friction began after Cruz, who opposes the assault weapons ban, asked Feinstein whether she would consider it constitutional for Congress to impose specific limitations to the First and Fourth Amendments, similar to the ones she is seeking on the Second.

"Let me just make a couple of points. One, I'm not a sixth-grader," Feinstein fired back. "It's fine if you want to lecture me on the Constitution, I appreciate it. Just know I've been here for a long time; I've passed a number of bills; I've studied the Constitution myself; I'm reasonably well-educated and I thank you for the lecture," she said, before adding that her latest proposal "exempts 2,271 weapons."

"Isn't that enough?" she asked. "I come from a different place than you do. I respect your views. I ask you to respect my views."

Cruz responded that "nobody doubts (Feinstein's) sincerity or her passion."

However, he pointed out that she "chose not to answer the question that I asked."

"The answer is obvious -- no," Feinstein said after Cruz restated his questions.

The fiery exchange served as a precursor for the debate that is expected to occur on the Senate floor up next.