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House Democrats’ Gun-Control Sit-In Turns Into Chaotic Showdown With Republicans House Democrats’ Gun-Control Sit-In Turns Into Chaotic Showdown With Republicans
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — Rank-and-file Democrats on Wednesday laid siege to the House chamber for a daylong sit-in demanding votes to tighten the nation’s gun control laws, but House Republicans forced a late-night confrontation as Speaker Paul D. Ryan banged his gavel in an effort to resume regular legislative business. WASHINGTON — A Democratic sit-in on the House floor demanding votes on gun-control legislation led to a remarkable scene of pandemonium on Wednesday night as Speaker Paul D. Ryan was shouted down when he tried to regain control.
It was a remarkable scene of pandemonium on the House floor. Democrats sought to shout down Mr. Ryan, chanting, “No bill! No break!” as they reiterated their demand for a vote on the gun measures before a weeklong recess for the July 4th holiday. Democrats pressed against the podium, waving signs with shooting victims’ names and chanting “No bill! No break!” as Mr. Ryan repeatedly banged his gavel in an attempt to restore order.
Democrats held up signs with the names of shooting victims. Some Republicans shouted in outrage, while Democrats began singing “We Shall Overcome,” altering the lyrics at times to sing, “We shall pass a bill some day.” When Mr. Ryan gave up and left the speaker’s chair, Democrats shouted, “Shame! Shame! Shame!”
At one point, aides and colleagues appeared to physically restrain Representative Don Young, Republican of Alaska, from approaching the chanting Democrats. There were scenes of chaos across the floor. At one point Democrats began singing “We Shall Overcome” — altering the lyrics to say “We shall pass a bill some day” — as Republicans shouted in outrage.
Democrats pressed against the front of the podium, waving their signs in front of Mr. Ryan. While he succeeded in reclaiming control over the chamber, at least for the purposes of a single vote, there was little doubt that the minority Democrats were the dominant force of the evening. And when Representative Don Young, Republican of Alaska, tried to confront the chanting Democrats, he was restrained by aides and colleagues.
As Mr. Ryan exited the speaker’s chair, the Democrats shouted, “Shame! Shame! Shame!” The chaos was set off when Democrats reiterated their demand for a vote on the gun measures before a weeklong recess for the July 4th holiday.
Many Republicans stood watching in apparent amazement, and some with undisguised alarm. The House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, by contrast, arrived on the floor with an air of calm, and with evident satisfaction, surveyed her rank-and-file members as they continued their protest, which began before noon. With no ability to adopt legislation either in the House or Senate, the minority Democrats have resorted to spectacle to underscore their anger over the failure by Congress to take any action in the aftermath of numerous mass shootings, including the massacre in Orlando, Fla. And they have repeatedly accused Republicans of kowtowing to the National Rifle Association, siding with the gun lobby over innocent victims of gun violence.
Shortly after the sit-in began, Republicans forced the House into recess, cutting off the microphones and the televised feed that broadcasts floor proceedings live on C-Span. Democrats refused to relinquish control of the chamber and enlisted new technology — the Periscope live-stream feature of Twitter — to overcome the Republican blackout. Democrats have been exasperated since four measures — two favored by Democrats and two by Republicans — were defeated in the Senate despite a 15-hour filibuster last week by Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut.
As the House Democrats’ chants rose to a crescendo on Wednesday night, many Republicans stood watching in apparent amazement, and some with undisguised alarm. The House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, by contrast, arrived on the floor with an air of calm, and with evident satisfaction, surveyed her rank-and-file members as they continued their protest, which began before noon.
Typical of the more restrained and decorous Senate, Mr. Murphy’s 15-hour marathon of speeches was derided by Republicans as a pointless “talkathon” but there were no confrontations and no shouting. Under Senate rules, any one senator who is recognized to speak can hold the floor until relinquishing it.
The House gives the minority no such rights and so Democrats resorted to an insurrection. Shortly after the sit-in began on Wednesday, Republicans quickly declared a recess, cutting off regular business — as well as the live television feed of floor proceedings, which operates only when the House is in session.
Essentially the Democrats were left in control of the chamber, where they gave a series of impassioned speeches, and used Twitter’s live-feed Periscope service to broadcast their efforts — a violation of House rules, which bar any cameras or other electronic devices on the floor.
C-Span picked up the feed and broadcast as if the House was in session, albeit with the unavoidably shaky camerawork by lawmakers using their cellphones.C-Span picked up the feed and broadcast as if the House was in session, albeit with the unavoidably shaky camerawork by lawmakers using their cellphones.
“We will not leave the floor of this House until this Congress takes action!” Representative Kathy D. Castor, Democrat of Florida, declared.“We will not leave the floor of this House until this Congress takes action!” Representative Kathy D. Castor, Democrat of Florida, declared.
Mr. Ryan, in an interview on CNN earlier in the evening, dismissed the Democrats’ action as a “publicity stunt.”Mr. Ryan, in an interview on CNN earlier in the evening, dismissed the Democrats’ action as a “publicity stunt.”
Yet even by the hyperpartisan standards of modern Washington, it was a brazen disruption that underscored the outrage many lawmakers have expressed about the failure of Congress to act in the aftermath of numerous mass shootings.Yet even by the hyperpartisan standards of modern Washington, it was a brazen disruption that underscored the outrage many lawmakers have expressed about the failure of Congress to act in the aftermath of numerous mass shootings.
In 2008, House Republicans, then in the minority, held a “quasi session” during summer recess to protest the Democrats’ refusal to hold votes on energy policy amid sharply rising gasoline prices. The Republicans met in a darkened chamber, a point they recalled with no small amount of outrage amid Democrats’ complaints on Wednesday. A key difference, though, was that the House was in recess then and no business was interrupted as the protest continued for several days.In 2008, House Republicans, then in the minority, held a “quasi session” during summer recess to protest the Democrats’ refusal to hold votes on energy policy amid sharply rising gasoline prices. The Republicans met in a darkened chamber, a point they recalled with no small amount of outrage amid Democrats’ complaints on Wednesday. A key difference, though, was that the House was in recess then and no business was interrupted as the protest continued for several days.
On Wednesday, Democrats short-circuited an active legislative session, for which Republicans had scheduled votes on a number of measures, including amendments to the annual Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. By late afternoon, Republicans said they still intended to conduct business, but the Democrats showed no sign of relenting.On Wednesday, Democrats short-circuited an active legislative session, for which Republicans had scheduled votes on a number of measures, including amendments to the annual Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. By late afternoon, Republicans said they still intended to conduct business, but the Democrats showed no sign of relenting.
Representative Maxine Waters of California seemed to sum up their collective resolve when she said, “I’m prepared to stand here until hell freezes over.”Representative Maxine Waters of California seemed to sum up their collective resolve when she said, “I’m prepared to stand here until hell freezes over.”
The House minority leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, said her caucus was seeking votes on measures similar to two Democratic proposals that failed to advance in the Senate. Ms. Pelosi said her caucus was seeking votes on measures similar to two Democratic proposals that failed to advance in the Senate.
One of those sought to ban gun sales to people on the government’s terrorism watch list, while the second would expand and toughen background checks for gun buyers. Those two measures were defeated on Monday in the Senate, along with two Republican alternatives.One of those sought to ban gun sales to people on the government’s terrorism watch list, while the second would expand and toughen background checks for gun buyers. Those two measures were defeated on Monday in the Senate, along with two Republican alternatives.
Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero to many Democrats because of his role in the civil rights movement, initiated the protest on Wednesday.Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero to many Democrats because of his role in the civil rights movement, initiated the protest on Wednesday.
“We have to occupy the floor of the House until there’s action,” he said.“We have to occupy the floor of the House until there’s action,” he said.
Congress has long been deadlocked over tightening the nation’s gun laws. But outrage and frustration have grown since the massacre in Orlando, Fla. on June 12 and a number of other mass shootings in recent years. Congress has long been deadlocked over tightening the nation’s gun laws. But outrage and frustration have grown since the massacre in Orlando on June 12 and a number of other mass shootings in recent years.
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, has drafted a narrower compromise measure. But despite some bipartisan backing, that proposal also seems in danger of failing for lack of sufficient Republican support.Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, has drafted a narrower compromise measure. But despite some bipartisan backing, that proposal also seems in danger of failing for lack of sufficient Republican support.
Even if all Senate Democrats and the independents who caucus with them voted in favor, which is hardly assured, at least 14 Republicans would need to agree to reach the 60-vote threshold for advancing the measure. Ms. Collins still seemed far short of that number on Wednesday.Even if all Senate Democrats and the independents who caucus with them voted in favor, which is hardly assured, at least 14 Republicans would need to agree to reach the 60-vote threshold for advancing the measure. Ms. Collins still seemed far short of that number on Wednesday.
Democrats also pushed the gun issue at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, putting forward an amendment to the annual homeland security spending bill that would bar individuals suspected of terrorist activities from purchasing firearms, similar to a Democratic measure that failed in the Senate on Monday.Democrats also pushed the gun issue at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, putting forward an amendment to the annual homeland security spending bill that would bar individuals suspected of terrorist activities from purchasing firearms, similar to a Democratic measure that failed in the Senate on Monday.
“I just want to make it very clear that I’d rather my child be inconvenienced than dead,” said Representative Nita M. Lowey of New York, the committee’s top Democrat.“I just want to make it very clear that I’d rather my child be inconvenienced than dead,” said Representative Nita M. Lowey of New York, the committee’s top Democrat.
The amendment failed, with every Republican and two Democrats voting against it.The amendment failed, with every Republican and two Democrats voting against it.