Sit In Ends But House Democrats Pledge the Fight is Far From Over
June 23, 2016
By: 13 ABC
June 23, 2016
They were greeted like athletes off the field. Walking off the playing field, 25 hours overtime.
“The time for silence and patience is long gone,” Rep. John Lewis (D-GA-5) said. Lewis launched the sit in Wednesday morning.
That’s when House democrats took over the floor demanding action on gun control. But not all members of the House were happy with the Democrats choice of demonstration.
“We are not going to allow stunts like this to stop this from carrying out the peoples business,” Speaker Ryan said.
In his weekly briefing, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1) didn’t avoid the topic of the hour. He called the sit-in a fundraising ploy and a publicity stunt. He said the vote on gun measures wasn’t going anywhere in the first place.
“Just yesterday the Democrats offered this gun measure they claim they want and it failed on a bipartisan basis in committee,” Speaker Ryan said.
Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) was there for that vote and she say’s that’s not how things
“All the Democrats voted yes all the Republicans voted no,” Kaptur said.
Kaptur, who gave a speech herself during the sit in, said she wanted to bring the news of that vote to the floor, she said so the American people know what’s going on.
“It gives you a signal, how they can vote against denying weapons to people on the terrorist watch list is beyond me,” Kaptur said.
The house has now gone on break for recess until July 5th. Speaker Ryan said on Thursday if the Democrats want a vote, all they need is a petition with 218 signatures. Congresswoman Kaptur said they’d be back after recess asking for a vote.
Some of those Democratic lawmakers said they’ll take their messages on gun control back to their home districts during the 4th of July recess and see what their constituents have to say.