Anonymous Senator Blocks Bill Allowing FBI to Respond Quickly to Mass Killing Incidents [View all]

[The Straight Story]

Anonymous Senator Blocks Bill Allowing FBI to Respond Quickly to Mass Killing Incidents

For reasons unknown, a U.S. senator has secretly blocked legislation that would authorize federal law enforcement agents to immediately respond to shootings, such as last week’s in Newtown, Connecticut.

The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act was first introduced last year by supporters who contend federal law does not allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or other U.S. agencies to quickly provide help whenever a mass killing is taking place.

But the proposed legislation is currently bottled up in the Senate, after a senator used the upper chamber’s rules to place a “hold” on it. The same rules allow the senator to keep his or her identity from being revealed.

An organization of federal agents objected to the actions of the anonymous senator, especially in light of recent shootings in Connecticut and Oregon.

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/anonymous-senator-blocks-bill-allowing-fbi-to-respond-quickly-to-mass-killing-incidents-121218?news=846514