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Dozens of House Democrats staged a "sit-in" on the House floor Wednesday in protest of GOP leadership's refusal to allow a vote on a gun control measure following the Orlando massacre.
Led by Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon, and John Larson (D-Conn.), more than 40 Democrats walked into the chamber just before noon and pledged to “occupy” the House floor until GOP leadership allowed a vote. Their numbers over the course of an hour more than tripled — even as Republicans recessed the House, turning off CSPAN cameras and the video feed to the public.
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Democrats countered the TV camera blackout by streaming everything on their cell phones, which ended up on C-SPAN anyway.
Democrats have tried numerous times over the past week to force a vote on a so-called "no fly, no buy" bill, which would bar terror suspects on the “no-fly" list from purchasing guns. The "sit-in" represented a sharp escalation in the fight, however, putting political pressure on Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to allow a roll call on the policy issue that's gotten the most traction following the Florida shooting.
But by early afternoon, there were no signs that Republicans would acquiesce to their demands for a vote. Republicans believe that if they give in now, it will encourage more such actions by Democrats, said GOP leadership aides.
But Democrats claim they will stay on the floor as long as it takes. They want Ryan to cancel the mid-July recess to take up their proposal.
“We have been too quiet for too long,” Lewis said. “There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/democrats-stage-sit-in-on-house-floor-to-force-gun-vote-224656#ixzz4CLCiG1u8
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