Axios

President Biden laid out his gun control agenda on Thursday night, saying America should be unified around the provisions he suggested.

The big picture: Biden called on Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban, which was passed in 1994 and expired under President George W. Bush in 2004. He also called for expansions on background checks, raising the age limits to purchase semi-automatic rifles and red-flag laws.

Bipartisan Senate energy talks led by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) are essentially over, with Republican senators convinced that Manchin is close to a reconciliation deal with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), according to people familiar with the matter.

Why it matters: The death of the bipartisan approach will allow Manchin and Schumer to focus on a potential deal that includes green energy tax credits and the tax increases to pay for them.

The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will host its first hearing next week during prime time.

Driving the news: "The committee will present previously unseen material documenting January 6th, receive witness testimony, preview additional hearings, and provide the American people a summary of its findings about the coordinated, multi-step effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and prevent the transfer of power," the committee said in a statement.

Domestic violence organizations and advocates are speaking out on the Depp v. Heard verdict, arguing the case's ruling could prove further stigmatizing for survivors of domestic violence.

Driving the news: On Wednesday, a seven-person jury determined that Amber Heard defamed Johnny Depp after she wrote a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, claiming she was a victim of domestic violence.

The two mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, both perpetrated by 18-year-olds, have highlighted a disturbing reality: The shooters are getting younger.

The big picture: Most of the deadliest shootings in the U.S. since 2018 were committed by men who were 21 or younger.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday announced a new internship program that will see White House pay its interns.

Why it matters: Unpaid internships are only practical for a privileged few and are often early exacerbators of inequality.

The White House said Thursday that the first COVID-19 vaccine shots for children under 5 years old could be available by June 21, pending action by the FDA and CDC.

Why it matters: Children under 5 are the final age group waiting for eligibility for the vaccine.

The 18-year-old accused of shooting and killing 10 people and injuring three more in a Buffalo, New York, supermarket pleaded not guilty Thursday to 25 new criminal charges against him, including one count of domestic terrorism motivated by hate.

Why it matters: An Erie County district attorney told reporters Thursday that the domestic terrorism motivated by hate charge against Payton Gendron is the highest count against him, though it is a "relatively new charge" in the state.

The financial outlook for Social Security and Medicare improved last year, thanks largely to a rapid economic recovery that drove tax revenues higher.

Driving the news: The trustees of the programs released their annual report on their financial stability Thursday. They projected that it will take longer for the trust funds supporting the programs to run out of money than previously estimated.

The Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday it will investigate whether the Food and Drug Administration appropriately handled a baby formula recall at an Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan.

Why it matters: The ongoing baby formula shortage began after a massive baby formula recall at the Abbott facility exacerbated preexisting pandemic supply chain issues.

The 911 calls made from inside Robb Elementary School on May 24 were not relayed to the incident commander, the Texas state senator who represents Uvalde, Texas, said on Thursday.

Why it matters: Students locked inside two connected classrooms with the gunman called 911 multiple times throughout the shooting while police were in a hallway outside of the classrooms.

Pennsylvania's Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano offered to sit for an interview with the Jan. 6 select committee investigating the Capitol riot, according to AP.

Why it matters: Mastriano, who was outside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, was subpoenaed by the committee in February. The committee is seeking information for its related investigation into attempts to arrange “alternate electors” to cast votes for former President Trump.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday proposed a new rule that would restore the rights of states and tribes to oppose energy projects that pollute their local waterways.

Why it matters: The move would reverse a consequential environmental rollback by the Trump administration, which in 2020 scaled back the power of state and tribal authorities to veto federal permits for polluting projects under the Clean Water Act.

Some Latino Democrats say their party needs a Spanish-language campaign to counter GOP messaging and misinformation around guns, mass shootings and other threats to democracy.

Driving the news: The killing last week of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, renewed calls for gun control measures.

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block the state's new congressional map that's backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

State of play: DeSantis' redistricting map is slated to stay intact ahead of the 2022 midterms. A Circuit Court previously struck down parts of it, saying "it diminishes African Americans' ability to elect the representatives of their choice," but it was reinstated by an appeals court last month.

Attorney Michael Avenatti was sentenced to four years in prison on Thursday for stealing from his former client, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, AP reported.

Driving the news: Avenatti was convicted in February on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for stealing nearly $300,000 from Daniels.

A gunman opened fire inside a Tulsa, Oklahoma, medical building with a handgun and a rifle, killing at least four people, including a doctor who had recently performed his back surgery, before apparently taking his own life on Wednesday, law enforcement officials said.

The latest: Authorities said during a press conference Thursday that the suspect specifically targeted Dr. Preston Phillip and noted he had repeatedly called the hospital complaining of pain.

Texas legislators last summer passed a bill called S.B. 19 that prevents state government entities from entering into contracts "with companies that discriminate against firearm and ammunition industries."

Why it matters: This could cause heartburn for some private equity and venture capital investors, as certain limited partners demand "sin clauses" that include weapons investment restrictions.

The U.S. Treasury Department unveiled a new spate of sanctions on Thursday targeting the network of individuals and entities that enable Kremlin elites to anonymously use their money abroad and make use of their luxury assets.

Why it matters: The move further builds on previous moves by the U.S. to sanction Russia's elites and seize their assets abroad.

Over half of Americans identify as "pro-choice," the highest recorded sentiment in support of abortion rights recorded by Gallup since 1995.

Driving the news: The Gallup poll also found that for the first time, a majority of Americans believe abortion is "morally acceptable."

A bipartisan group of mayors nationwide released a letter Thursday urging Senate leaders to take action on gun control legislation.

Why it matters: The recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, have sparked renewed calls for gun control legislation at the federal level.

Some local officials in liberal enclaves within red states say they won't help enforce bans on abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

The big picture: Cities have a "wide range of powers they can draw on to try to safeguard and expand access to reproductive health care, including abortion," said Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health, an organization that supports abortion rights.

Russian forces have taken over most of Severodonetsk, the last remaining major city in the Luhansk region of the Donbas under Ukrainian control, according to the regional governor and British intelligence officials.

What's happening: Luhansk region Gov. Serhiy Haidai told Reuters Ukrainian forces were holding less than a fifth of the key city in eastern Ukraine on the 99th day of Russia's invasion, and he expressed concern for civilians sheltering from Russian shelling under a chemical plant that may be storing toxic substances.

Senate Democrats' campaign arm isn’t waiting for a recount in the Republican primary between Dave McCormick and Mehmet Oz. It’s launching a general election campaign now — against both — officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Pennsylvania's open Senate race could determine which party controls the majority next year.

The city of Baltimore is suing ghost gun maker Polymer80, Mayor Brandon Scott announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: The lawsuit alleges that Polymer80, one of the largest manufacturers of ghost guns in the U.S., has caused a "public health crisis" and accuses the firm of "negligence, and public nuisance, and violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act," per a statement from Scott's office.

The U.S. Transportation Department lifted Trump-era flight restrictions to Cuba on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The move making U.S.-Cuba travel easier is part of a wider Biden administration drive to bolster support for the Cuban people, one year after the largest anti-government protests on the island in decades occurred, per Axios' Shawna Chen.

The Biden administration is expecting a commitment from Spain — set to be announced at next week's Summit of the Americas — to resettle refugees from the Western Hemisphere for the first time ever, according to internal planning documents reviewed by Axios.

Why it matters: The pledge — along with other expected commitments from Canada — could provide a political boost to President Biden, whose administration has continued to grapple with unmanageable volumes of asylum seekers at the southern border.

J. Michael Luttig, a former federal judge and lawyer who advised former Vice President Mike Pence, is expected to testify in the Jan. 6 select committee's public hearings this month, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The committee, which has until now been interviewing witnesses behind closed doors, has revealed little about its plans for the public hearings set to begin next week.