Democrats supported the measure. Republicans opposed it. The legislation is unlikely to get enough support in the full Senate to pass.

Gun control advocates acknowledged they'll face big obstacles in Congress to a new ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. But they say the shooting last month of 20 schoolchildren in Connecticut could make a difference.

The committee, controlled by Democrats, is likely to approve expanding background to private transactions and to debate a renewed assault weapons ban.

In his short time in the Senate, Tea Party Republican Ted Cruz has already made a mark 鈥� and in doing so, he's simply ignored a tradition of new senators being seen, not heard. Cruz's sharp elbows have some colleagues wincing and others hoping he'll run for president.