This week in the news: details unraveling on San Bernardino shooting; FBI found suspects have links to terrorism, bill for greater gun control voted down, Senate passes bill targeting ObamaCare and Planned Parenthood, Germany joins fight against ISIS, and women can now join the military.
1. Details unraveling on San Bernardino shooting; FBI found suspects have links to terrorism
The FBI found that suspect Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, had been in touch with people investigated for international terrorism. Furthermore, law officials found that Farook’s wife Tashfeen Malik, 27, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The police are now officially investigating this case as terrorism.
Farook and his wife possessed 12 pipe bombs and thousands of rounds of ammunition in their SUV and in their apartment. The suspects open-fired at a holiday luncheon in the Inland Regional Center on Wednesday, killing 14 and injuring 21. Farook worked in the county health department as a health inspector and also partook in the luncheon. However, according to witnesses, he left agitated and returned shortly after with his wife and arsenal in hand. Both suspects died shortly after in a shootout with the police.
2. Bill for greater gun control voted down
In a 45 to 54, Republican-led Senate blocked the Democratic-proposed bills vote on Thursday that would have implemented stricter gun control. One proposal would have required greater background checks for those buying guns online or at gun shows. The other bill would have prevented those on the terror watch list from purchasing guns.
3. Senate passes bill targeting ObamaCare and Planned Parenthood
Republican-led Senate passed another bill on Thursday meant to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal ObamaCare in a near party-line vote of 52-47. Although Obama will most like veto this bill, Republicans are clear in their message for next year’s presidency–if a GOP wins presidency, the democrats will no longer have someone to veto the Republican-backed bills for the democrats lack a two-thirds House and Senate majorities.
Republican Senate Mitch McConnell states, “President Obama will have a choice. He can defend a status quo that’s failed the middle class by vetoing the bill, or he can work toward a new beginning and better care by signing it.”
4. Germany joins fight against ISIS
German Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor to join the international coalition fighting the Islamic State. Germany will not be involved in airstrikes or in direct combat, but will send reconnaissance planes, fueling resources, and a frigate.
5. Women can now join the military
Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced on Thursday that women can now join the military. After three years of research, the Pentagon has decided that women who meet the requirements can now serve in any unit, without exceptions.
