Afternoon Roundup: House Dems Stage Sit-In on House Floor to Demand Action on Gun Violence
Today, House Democrats are staging a sit-in on the Floor of the House of Representatives, demanding that Republicans hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence. As soon as the House of Representatives was brought to order this afternoon, House Republicans gaveled out the proceedings, refusing to allow Democrats to be heard. Here’s a look at how it’s playing out in the news:
Washington Post: Democrats stage protest on House floor to force gun control votes
“Democrats took over the House floor on Wednesday in an attempt to force votes on gun control proposals, preventing Republican leaders from conducting the business of the day.”
“Chanting ‘no bill, no vote,’ the group of House Democrats shouted down Republican leaders’ effort to gavel the House into session.”
“Democrats took turns telling stories about gun violence in their home districts and decrying GOP leaders for not holding a single gun vote on the issue since the 2012 shootings in Sandy Hook, Conn.”
New York Times: House Democrats Stage Sit-In to Push for Action on Gun Control
“Plunked down on the floor in the well of the House chamber, the Democrats — including some party leaders — effectively halted any legislative activity as they chanted, ‘No bill, no break!’”
“’We stand for those who do not see this day, whose days were taken from them in an instant, by weapons of violence,’ Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat, said in his speech, his colleagues gathered around him.”
“After the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, Republicans swiftly called another recess, leaving Democrats occupying the floor but technically not obstructing any official proceedings.”
Roll Call: Breaking: House Democrats Stage Chamber Floor Sit-In For Gun Vote
“As many as 80 House Democrats staged a sit-in on the chamber floor Wednesday, demanding Republican leaders allow votes on legislation to combat gun violence before heading home for district work.”
“’No bill, no break!’ Democrats chanted in the chamber after the C-SPAN cameras had been flipped off when the recess began. Democrats continued to gather in the chamber as lawmakers took to the podium to name individuals killed by gun violence in their district and to protest the lack of action on gun legislation following the shooting in Orlando, Fla. that left 49 victims dead.”
Bloomberg: Democrats Hold Sit-In on House Floor Demanding Gun Curb Vote
“Democrats staged a sit-in on the U.S. House floor Wednesday in an effort to force Republicans to allow a vote on a plan to ban suspected terrorists from buying guns.”
“’Now is the time for us to find a way to dramatize it, to make it real,’ Democratic Representative John Lewis of Georgia said on the floor while surrounded by fellow lawmakers from his party. ‘We have to occupy the floor of the House until there’s action.’"
“Republican leaders, who control the C-SPAN cameras, shut off the feed to the House Floor soon after the sit-in began. But Democrats continued their protest.”
Vice News: House Democrats stage sit-in to get a vote on gun control
“Democrats from the House of Representatives staged a sit-in on Wednesday to protest lawmakers' failure to pass legislation designed to curtail gun violence in the wake of the Orlando mass shooting.”
“The group, which was led by Rep. John Lewis, wrote a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan urging him to keep the House in session — skipping the scheduled July 4 holiday — until members have agreed on gun legislation, specifically an amendment which would prevent people on the controversial no-fly list from purchasing firearms.”
NBC News: House Democrats Hold Sit-In on Gun Control
“Rep. John Lewis, one of the last living icons of civil disobedience during the civil rights movement, was leading a sit-in on the House floor Wednesday in an effort to force a vote on gun control.”
“The protest is not being televised because the House has not formally gaveled into session. House Members took to social media to lodge their protests using the hashtags #NoBillNoBreak, #NOMORESILENCE, and #goodtrouble.”
Huffington Post: Democrats Stage Sit-In On House Floor Over Gun Bills
“Democrats literally sat down on the floor of the House chamber on Wednesday — and forced the House into a temporary recess — as part of an effort to compel Republican leadership to vote on gun control legislation.”
“Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon who led sit-ins all through the 1960s, spearheaded the effort with a fiery, sermon-like denunciation of Congress for its failure to act in the wake of mass shootings.”
“’For months, even for years, through seven sessions of Congress, I wondered, what would bring this body to take action?’ Lewis said while Democrats slowly surrounded him at the microphone. ‘We have lost hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence. Tiny little children. Babies. Students. And teachers. Mother and fathers. Sisters and brothers. Daughters and sons. Friends and neighbors. And what has this body done? Mr. Speaker, not one thing.’”
“It’s not clear what GOP leaders plan to do now.”
CBS News: Democrats stage sit-in on House floor over gun control
“Just days after four gun control measures failed to pass in the U.S. Senate, House Democrats are staging their own protest on the floor of the lower chamber over firearm safety legislation.”
“A group of roughly 60 legislators sat down cross-legged in the middle of the House floor Wednesday, pushing for gun control votes. Some remained standing on the floor.”
“Members took turns speaker passionately at the podium, chanting ‘No bill, no break’ after each speech.”
ABC News: Democrats Staging Sit-in on House Floor to Protest Inaction on Guns
“Led by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, the members, chanting ‘no bill, no break,’ plan to stay on the floor ‘as long as we can,’ said Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich.”
“Democrats want votes on the ‘no fly, no buy’ and background check measures before the July 4 recess, which GOP leaders don't appear open to scheduling.”
Politico: Democrats stage sit-in on House floor to force gun vote
“More than two dozen 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.
“The protest seemed to catch Republicans off guard. As another House Democrat prepared to speak, the GOP lawmaker presiding over the chamber suddenly declared the House was in recess and shut off microphones.”
The Hill: Dems stage sit-in on House floor to push for gun vote
“Democrats are staging a sit-in on the House floor to push for action on gun control legislation.”
“Democrats have been pressing for action on gun control before the House leaves at the end of this week for a planned recess.”
“Democrats indicated that they will continue the sit-in until GOP leaders allow a vote on gun legislation.”
Reuters: House Democrats stage protest to demand gun control bill
“The protest was the latest bold move by Democrats to persuade the Republican majority in Congress to consider gun control legislation in response to last week's mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, which was the deadliest in modern U.S. history.”
“House Democrats frustrated by inaction on guns have staged several actions on the House floor in recent days. They have interrupted a moment of silence in honor of the Orlando victims and unsuccessfully seeking recognition to bring up bills on expanding background checks and preventing people on ‘no-fly’ and other surveillance lists from buying guns.”
U.S. News and World Report: House Democrats Are Sitting on the Floor to Force Action on Gun Control
“House Democrats staged a sit-down protest Wednesday, seeking a vote on gun control measures following the Orlando nightclub shooting.”
“The group demanded that House Speaker Paul Ryan keep the House in session through its planned weeklong recess next week to debate and vote on gun legislation.
“Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said, ‘We will not be shut up. We will not be shut down.’"