BET Wire: Lawmakers Seek Gun Control Plan B — and More

Political news from the Beltway and beyond.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - Democrats seek new gun control compromise; the IRS is in hot water; Jesse Jackson Jr. may have another problem; and Republicans diss President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency nominee. — Joyce Jones

On Gun Control - "I am a fierce defender of the Second Amendment, however there should be some serious measures in place to make sure people carrying guns are fit to do so," Fritsch said. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Plan B - A measure to expand background checks for purchases at gun shows could pass with some "adjustments," says Sen. Joe Manchin, a sponsor of the bill. Senate aides told CBS News that it could be voted on again "this month after consideration of an Internet taxation bill, or this summer after wavering senators have had enough time to reconsider their position." (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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More Jackson Blues - Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who faces up to 57 months in jail, has a lot on his mind. But he failed to file his financial disclosure report within a month of leaving office, as required, which could get him into deeper trouble, the Chicago Tribune reports.  (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Immigrant Voting Rights - The New York City Council is considering legislation that would allow non-citizens to vote. If passed, immigrants who are "lawfully present in the United States" and have lived in the city for at least six months, would be able to participate in local races, TPM reports. Supporters hope it will become law by the end of this year. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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Immigrant Voting Rights - The New York City Council is considering legislation that would allow non-citizens to vote. If passed, immigrants who are "lawfully present in the United States" and have lived in the city for at least six months, would be able to participate in local races, TPM reports. Supporters hope it will become law by the end of this year. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

All in the Family - During an MSNBC panel discussion on Black voter turnout and voting rights, a writer for the network's website said that when Republicans attack Obama, they are in essence attacking all African-Americans. "You see effigies. You see some of the T-shirts. You see the attacks on President Obama, in proxy, an attack on African-Americans," said Trymaine Lee. (Photo: The Place for Politics via MSNBC)

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All in the Family - During an MSNBC panel discussion on Black voter turnout and voting rights, a writer for the network's website said that when Republicans attack Obama, they are in essence attacking all African-Americans. "You see effigies. You see some of the T-shirts. You see the attacks on President Obama, in proxy, an attack on African-Americans," said Trymaine Lee. (Photo: The Place for Politics via MSNBC)

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Tea Time - A Tea Party supporter holds up a fitting prop — a tea pot — as he calls for the health-care act to be struck down. (Photo: Jason Reed/Reuters)

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IRS Blunders - The Internal Revenue Service has issued an apology to conservative groups with "tea party" or "patriot" in their name for unfairly targeting them to ensure they weren't violating their tax-exempt status. "That was wrong. That was absolutely incorrect, it was insensitive and it was inappropriate," said Lois Lerner, head of the division that oversees non-exempt groups, the Associated Press reports. Republicans are calling for an investigation. (Photo: JASON REED /LANDOV/REUTERS)

GOP Boycotts EPA Pick - The Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee was forced to put on hold a vote to send the nomination of Gina McCarthy, Obama's pick to lead the EPA, to the full Senate for consideration. Republicans, unsatisfied with responses she's given so far, boycotted the panel. "This shows how outside the mainstream they are. Shows how obstructionist they are," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, who chairs the panel. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

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GOP Boycotts EPA Pick - The Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee was forced to put on hold a vote to send the nomination of Gina McCarthy, Obama's pick to lead the EPA, to the full Senate for consideration. Republicans, unsatisfied with responses she's given so far, boycotted the panel. "This shows how outside the mainstream they are. Shows how obstructionist they are," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, who chairs the panel. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Mark Sanford - Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is the current poster boy for political redemption. He famously abandoned his duties for five days to tryst with his mistress-now-wife in her native Argentina. After the resulting fall from grace, Sanford successfully ran for Congress and now fills the seat vacated by Sen. Tim Scott. (Photo: AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

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Redemption - Former North Carolina governor Mark Sanford, who infamously laid bare his heart for a woman not his wife in 2009, is now a U.S. congressman. Despite being abandoned by the Republican Party after his former spouse disclosed trespassing charges against him, Sanford handily won his bid on May 7 with 54 percent of the vote. (Photo: AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Extreme Makeover - As Congress debates how to reform the nation's immigration system, 35 percent of Americans say it should be completely rebuilt. In a Pew Research Center survey, 75 percent called for a complete overhaul or at least major changes and 72 percent said the same about the tax system, compared to just 44 percent who shared that view about the nation's Homeland Security system. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

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Extreme Makeover - As Congress debates how to reform the nation's immigration system, 35 percent of Americans say it should be completely rebuilt. In a Pew Research Center survey, 75 percent called for a complete overhaul or at least major changes and 72 percent said the same about the tax system, compared to just 44 percent who shared that view about the nation's Homeland Security system. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

Backing Down - New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte says she now supports a measure to expand background checks for gun purchases after her poll numbers plunged when she voted against the bill. Democrats hope others who've lost support will follow suit. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Backing Down - New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte says she now supports a measure to expand background checks for gun purchases after her poll numbers plunged when she voted against the bill. Democrats hope others who've lost support will follow suit. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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Golfing With Frenemies - Obama and Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) did a bit of business and had some fun on the greens on May 6. The outing was part of the president's ongoing "charm offensive" to win support from congressional lawmakers. "I told [him] since I made a hole in one, they ought to give us everything we want on entitlement reform," Chambliss joked. (Photo: Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

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Golfing With Frenemies - Obama and Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) did a bit of business and had some fun on the greens on May 6. The outing was part of the president's ongoing "charm offensive" to win support from congressional lawmakers. "I told [him] since I made a hole in one, they ought to give us everything we want on entitlement reform," Chambliss joked. (Photo: Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

Do Me a Solid - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is putting his BFF status with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the test. "I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him, Kim, to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose," Rodman said on Twitter. Bae, a Korean-American, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.  (Photo: Koi Sojer, PacificCoastNews.com)

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Do Me a Solid - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is putting his BFF status with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the test. "I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him, Kim, to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose," Rodman said on Twitter. Bae, a Korean-American, has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.  (Photo: Koi Sojer, PacificCoastNews.com)

Photo By Koi Sojer, PacificCoastNews.com

Immoral - Biden deemed attempts to disenfranchise voters "immoral" during a May 7 address at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies annual fundraising dinner. "The more they attempt to restrict the right of minorities, the greater the determination and the stronger the will to turn out, and that's exactly what everyone saw in 2012," the vice president said.  (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

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Immoral - Biden deemed attempts to disenfranchise voters "immoral" during a May 7 address at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies annual fundraising dinner. "The more they attempt to restrict the right of minorities, the greater the determination and the stronger the will to turn out, and that's exactly what everyone saw in 2012," the vice president said.  (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

Outrage - Obama condemned the rise in sexual assaults in the military, calling it an "outrage" and vowing to support victims. "I want them to hear directly from their commander in chief that I've got their backs. I will support them. And we're not going to tolerate this stuff and there will be accountability. If people have engaged in this behavior, they should be prosecuted," he said. (Photo: Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)

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Outrage - Obama condemned the rise in sexual assaults in the military, calling it an "outrage" and vowing to support victims. "I want them to hear directly from their commander in chief that I've got their backs. I will support them. And we're not going to tolerate this stuff and there will be accountability. If people have engaged in this behavior, they should be prosecuted," he said. (Photo: Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)

Joining Forces - First Lady Michelle Obama and NBA center Jason Collins will appear together at a May 29 Democratic National Committee fundraiser honoring the LGBT community. On April 29, Obama tweeted her support for Collins' coming out, saying, "We've got your back!" (Photos from left: Alex Wong/Getty Images, AP Photo/ABC, Eric McCandless)

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Joining Forces - First Lady Michelle Obama and NBA center Jason Collins will appear together at a May 29 Democratic National Committee fundraiser honoring the LGBT community. On April 29, Obama tweeted her support for Collins' coming out, saying, "We've got your back!" (Photos from left: Alex Wong/Getty Images, AP Photo/ABC, Eric McCandless)

Loser! - After conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh called Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a slut, Cumulus Media, which distributes his show, has seen its revenues go down. "The vast majority of national advertisers now refuse to air their ads during Rush Limbaugh's show," a source told Mediaite. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Loser! - After conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh called Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a slut, Cumulus Media, which distributes his show, has seen its revenues go down. "The vast majority of national advertisers now refuse to air their ads during Rush Limbaugh's show," a source told Mediaite. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)