Breitbart And Racism • Trump Feuds With Corker • Regulating Guns: 5 Political Stories To Read This Week

WASHINGTON, DC — After a wild and emotional week in Washington D.C., you may have missed some important articles this week. Here are five of the most important political stories from the past seven days that might have flown under the radar and why they matter.

1. NRA Calls For Regulations On 'Bump Stocks' Implicated In Las Vegas Shooting

The story: The National Rifle Association Thursday called for more regulation of "bump stocks," a firearm accessory that essentially turns semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons. Authorities found 12 guns outfitted with bump stocks in the possession of the Las Vegas shooter who killed 58 people and wounded more than 500 others Sunday night. (Patch)

Why it matters: Politicians have long argued about gun control, but in recent years, the trend has been toward looser rather than tighter restrictions on firearms. The NRA has played no small role in preventing greater gun control measures from being enacted, and their support for a ban on bump stocks suggests that real action on this front may be possible.

However, critics of the NRA say support for the regulations are a small concession and that more sweeping measures are needed. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

2. Here's How Breitbart And Milo Smuggled Nazi and White Nationalist Ideas Into The Mainstream

The story: "During the 2016 presidential campaign, under [Steve] Bannon’s leadership, Breitbart courted the alt-right — the insurgent, racist right-wing movement that helped sweep Donald Trump to power. The former White House chief strategist famously remarked that he wanted Breitbart to be 'the platform for the alt-right.'" (BuzzFeed)

Why it matters: In a deep and extensive report, BuzzFeed reporter Joseph Bernstein uncovered extensive links between explicitly white supremacist advocates and Breitbart News in a massive email trove.

The story argues that Breitbart has served to make the values and opinions of the white supremacist movement more acceptable, a move made more significant given the fact that President Trump's campaign chairman and former top White House strategist Steve Bannon sits at the website's helm.

3. Corker Calls White House 'Adult Day Care' After Trump Tweet Tirade

The story: Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, once seen as a key ally of President Donald Trump, compared the White House to "an adult day care center" Sunday after the president blasted the increasingly critical Republican on Twitter. Signs of division between Corker and the White House began in August, when, in a speech in his native Chattanooga, the senator said the president "has not demonstrated that he understands what has made this nation great and what it is today" and that he "has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence" needed for the office. (Patch)

Why it matters: With a slim majority in the Senate — just 52 seats are held by Republicans — Trump needs all the help he can get to push his agenda through. Tax reform, the next Republican legislative priority, may be a tough deal to strike, and just three "nays" from GOP senators will be enough to scuttle any bill.

If Trump alienates Corker, it will be all that much harder to get a bill passed.

4. Trump Administration Weakens Obamacare Birth Control Mandate

The story: The Trump administration issued new rules Friday to significantly weaken the birth control mandate that requires businesses to provide health insurance for its employees that offers coverage for contraception. Under the new rules, any employer can opt out of the mandate for religious or moral reasons. (Patch)

Why it matters: The mandate expanded access to contraception in the United States, and the latest decision from the White House could make it harder for women to get birth control. For those who opposed the mandate, the policy will be seen as a win for an administration that has otherwise failed on its promise to "repeal and replace" the health care law.

5. Congress Let Funding For 9M Kids' Health Care Expire, And Now States Are Scrambling

The story: Nearly 9 million kids across the country rely on health insurance from CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Although it’s not a controversial program, Congress let its funding expire Oct. 1 — and many states may soon tell millions of families that their insurance plans are ending. (Patch)

Why it matters: Funding for CHIP had already become tied to other fights in Congress, including disputes about Medicare and Medicaid. Partisan battles make CHIP's passage less likely. Many millions of kids could find themselves uninsured if the program is not funded soon, limiting their access to routine doctor visits, emergency services, vaccinations, and dental care and more.

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