VOA标准英语2013--Washington Week: Focus on Gun Control, Obama Cabinet Picks

 

Washington Week: Focus on Gun Control, Obama Cabinet Picks

President Obama travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to promote proposals for reducing gun violence. The city’s police chief was among law enforcement officials consulted by Vice¹ President Joe Biden in formulating² the recommendations. 

Minneapolis saw a deadly shooting spree last year, and Mayor R.T. Rybak has become a leading voice for gun control. "In a wonderful neighborhood, in a wonderful business we have had a horrible tragedy," he said. 

Strong and sustained public support for firearms legislation is seen as critical to ensure congressional action. A Senate hearing last week illuminated³ battle lines between gun-control proponents⁴ like former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a victim of gun violence and opponents, like the National Rifle Association’s Wayne LaPierre.

In addition to gun control, the Senate is also mulling President Obama’s pick for defense⁵ secretary, Chuck Hagel. 

The former Republican senator appeared to stumble at his confirmation⁶ hearing last week, at one point mischaracterizing the administration’s policy on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “I support the president's strong position on containment," he said. 

Hagel later said he backs the U.S. policy of preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, Republican opposition⁷ to his nomination⁸ appeared to strengthen during and after the hearing. 

Senator James Inhofe said, “Senator Hagel’s record is deeply troubling and out of the mainstream⁹.”

Although Democrats¹⁰ hold a majority in the Senate, Hagel would need the support of at least five Republicans if a procedural maneuver¹¹ to force a three-fifths vote on his nomination was called by a senator.

Later this week, the Senate begins formal consideration of President Obama’s choice for CIA director, counter-terrorism adviser¹² John Brennan.

“If confirmed as director, I will make it my mission to ensure that the CIA has the tools it needs to keep our nation safe," said Brennan. 

Meanwhile, John Kerry begins his first full week as Secretary of State. Kerry has pledged to strengthen U.S. diplomatic security after last year’s deadly terrorist attack at the U.S. consulate¹³ in Benghazi, Libya. 

Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected to discuss the Benghazi attack when he testifies Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

1 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

2 formulating   

v.构想出( formulate的现在分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese government is formulating nationwide regulations on the control of such chemicals. 目前，中国政府正在制定全国性的易制毒化学品管理条例。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• Because of this, the U.S. has taken further steps in formulating the \"Magellan\" programme. 为此，美国又进一步制定了“麦哲伦”计划。 来自百科语句

3 illuminated   

adj.被照明的；受启迪的

参考例句：

• Floodlights illuminated the stadium. 泛光灯照亮了体育场。
• the illuminated city at night 夜幕中万家灯火的城市

4 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

7 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

8 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

9 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

10 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 maneuver   

n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略

参考例句：

• All the fighters landed safely on the airport after the military maneuver.在军事演习后，所有战斗机都安全降落在机场上。
• I did get her attention with this maneuver.我用这个策略确实引起了她的注意。

12 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

13 consulate   

n.领事馆

参考例句：

• The Spanish consulate is the large white building opposite the bank.西班牙领事馆是银行对面的那栋高大的白色建筑物。
• The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。