Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill Includes Amendment Related to Dealers Reporting Multiple Long Gun Purchases

House appropriators advanced the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill to the floor Thursday, but not before adopting two amendments that Democrats could seek to strip out. One of those amendments, offered by Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., would bar funds from being used to require firearms dealers to report to the Justice Department sales of multiple shotguns or rifles to the same person. Overall, the measure’s $51.1 billion allocation represents a $1.6 billion, or 3 percent, cut below the fiscal 2012 spending levels and is $800 million below the $51.9 billion Senate version. Senate Appropriations CJS Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., said Senate leaders have not yet decided which spending measure will move first, adding that her measure, which the Senate Appropriations Committee approved April 19, should be at the top of the queue. Differences between the two will be worked out in conference.  It is anyone's bet whether an appropriations bill will pass before they adjourn for the election, or even during the expected "lame-duck" session.