WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced plans Monday for his panel to start voting later this week on an assault weapons ban and other gun curbs, but that session is widely expected to be delayed a week.

When the votes occur, they will mark Congress' first in response to the Newtown, Conn., shooting deaths of 26 students and staff at an elementary school in December.

The bills largely follow President Barack Obama's proposals for limiting gun violence, which have been opposed by the National Rifle Association and generated little support from congressional Republicans.