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House Democrats Stage Sit-In
House Democrats are mad as hell and they’re not gonna take it anymore. They’re tired of innocent men, women and even little children being shot to death at the hands of guns. They’re tired of routine “moments of silence” in honor of the dead, before going right back to business as usual. They’re tired of ineffective gun laws allowing assault weapons to make it into the hands of ordinary civilians — and they’re staging a sit-in to prove it!
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It was a sight to behold. On Wednesday and only days after 4 gun control measures failed to pass the U.S. Senate, House Democrats blindsided congress by staging a historic protest on the floor of the House of Representatives. At least 60 House Democrats sat down in the middle of the House floor and pushed for a vote on greater gun control.
The group was led by civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis of Georgia, who was joined by Kentucky’s Rep. John Yarmuth and Connecticut’s Rep. Joe Courtney.
“We can no longer wait,” Lewis preached from the House floor. “We can no longer be patient. So today, we come to the well of the House to dramatize the need for action. Not next month, not next year, but now — today. Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes you have to make a way out of no way.”
“We have been too quiet for too long,” he continued. “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.”
Immediately following Lewis’ remarks, other House Democrats took turns speaking in favor of changing the status quo and saving future lives from further gun violence. The group then chanted “No bill, no break,” promising to delay the congressional recess and remain seated until they are heard. Some members even took to Twitter using the hashtag #NoBillNoBreak to call attention to their efforts.
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My colleagues & I have had enough. We are sitting-in on the House Floor until we get a vote to address gun violence. https://t.co/rTqrPifuUz
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 22, 2016
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I’m on the House floor with @repjohnlewis & Dems staging a sit-in to demand action on commonsense gun legislation pic.twitter.com/byIivby5gG
— Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) June 22, 2016
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Proud to sit with @RepJoeCourtney and others demanding action. #GoodTrouble #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/SNMWlQ0ZfZ
— Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) June 22, 2016
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#Nomoresilence.@HouseDemocrats are sitting-in to demand an up or down vote on legislation to #EndGunViolence #Enough pic.twitter.com/BxSKCpECze
— Rep. Joe Courtney (@RepJoeCourtney) June 22, 2016
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House Democrats also signed a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan, detailing their intentions and urging the Republican leader to “keep the House in session until we have robust debate and votes on expanding background checks and banning the sale of firearms to suspected terrorists.”
“Until then,” the letter read, “we are resolved and committed to speaking out for victims, survivors, and families at home who deserve a vote.”
Speaker Ryan called their efforts “a publicity stunt” and didn’t seem enthused to anger the all-powerful NRA over the whims of House Democrats.
“This isn’t trying to come up with a solution to a problem, this is trying to get attention,” Ryan said.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton offered her full support to the House Democrats, calling their efforts “real leadership.”
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This is what real leadership looks like. https://t.co/4Nh6QpqSxL
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 22, 2016
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President Obama also cheered on Rep. Lewis and his colleagues for daring to take action.
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Thank you John Lewis for leading on gun violence where we need it most. https://t.co/vctfqAH5Wt
— President Obama (@POTUS) June 22, 2016
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By late Wednesday, a contingency of Senate Democrats joined the efforts and threw their support behind their congressional counterparts. Some even sat with them on the House floor.
“I think this is truly exceptional, and it reflects the American mood,” Sen. Patty Murphy of Washington said while calling the protest an “unprecedented moment” in legislative history.
“We ultimately got a vote in the Senate, it has led to compromised negotiations that are happening right now that might actually get this done. The only thing we can’t do right now is be silent, and I’m glad that my former colleagues in the House are stepping in a big way.”
Naturally, Republicans were collectively angry at House Democrats for staging the protest, claiming it was a veiled attempt to revoke the 2nd Amendment.
However, Rep. Lewis was not deterred and said he is “convinced” that if a vote on gun control were held on the House floor today, it would pass.
“The American people are sick and tired. More than 85% — some polls are saying more than 90 or 95% — want action. Just let the people debate it. Let members of Congress debate it. Members of the House: let’s pass it!”
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Thank you DJ. Your opening paragraph says it all: House Democrats are mad as hell and they’re not gonna take it anymore. They’re tired of innocent men, women and even little children being shot to death at the hands of guns. They’re tired of routine “moments of silence” in honor of the dead, before going right back to business as usual. They’re tired of ineffective gun laws allowing assault weapons to make it into the hands of ordinary civilians — and they’re staging a sit-in to prove it! […..] Well it's about d*mn time! For far too long Pres. Obama and the Dem leadership has allowed Our country to be held hostage by a Republican leadership (and their right-wing cohorts) who have sold their soul to the highest bidder …and has done/and continues to do Our country a great deal of damage. To not even allow a vote on common-sense… Read more »