THE SQUIZ
A deal that could see the US Congress deliver the most significant national response to gun violence in decades was announced by a group of senators yesterday. The framework for federal legislative reforms covers gun ownership checks and investments in mental health services and school security measures. Twenty of the Senate’s 100 members – 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans said it was “our duty to come together and get something done” and that their plan would save lives “while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.” It follows March For Our Lives rallies across the US that were attended by thousands on Saturday.

IS THIS GOING TO SOLVE AMERICA’S GUN PROBLEM?
That’s unlikely because it’s a big and complex issue – and there’s still some way for this agreement to translate into action. But getting enough Republican senators on the same page as the Democrats is significant because it means a vote has a good chance of success. And it’s been a while… The last substantial federal gun-control laws were passed by Congress in the mid-1990s. This time, the proposal includes tougher checks for buyers under 21yo and incentives to the states to introduce ‘red-flag laws’ where authorities can seize guns from someone considered a danger to themselves or others. President Joe Biden has endorsed the agreement, and notable advocates for gun law reform have also welcomed it. “This is progress even if small,” said David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON?
The January 6 hearings… After a year of investigating former President Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen and the angry mob’s attack on the US Capitol in a bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s win, public hearings have started. On Friday, an incredible video was shown that points to the collaboration between Team Trump and the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group. The hearing aired during primetime in the US and attracted an audience of more than 20 million – more than the NBA finals… Overnight, the committee has focused on what they’re calling “the big lie” – Trump’s claims of voter fraud that fueled the riots. Committee members say they reckon there’s enough evidence for prosecutors to consider a criminal indictment against Trump – a move that would be unprecedented.