Rep. Jim Himes Protests 'Smug' Moment of Silence for Orlando

U.S. Rep Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said he refused to take part in any more moments of silence for gun violence victims in the House of Representatives.

"I will no longer stand here absorbing the faux concern contrived gravity and tepid smugness of a house complicit in the weekly bloodshed," he said on the house floor.

The Latest on the Orlando Shooting:

• Orlando Killer Grew Up on Long Island
• Developments in the Orlando Nightclub Shooting

Himes said eventually the American people will hold Congress accountable for its lack of action on gun violence.

"Silence, that is how the leadership of the most powerful country in the world will respond to this week's massacre of its citizens," he said.

Himes and other national legislators from Connecticut have been vocal after the mass shooting in Orlando left 50 dead and 53 wounded.

"The Senate’s inaction on commonsense gun violence prevention makes it complicit in this public health crisis," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) "Prayers and platitudes are insufficient. The American public is beseeching us to act on commonsense, sensible gun violence prevention measures, and we must heed that call.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has also been vocal about the lack of Congressional action.

"This phenomenon of near constant mass shootings happens only in America – nowhere else," he said. "Congress has become complicit in these murders by its total, unconscionable deafening silence."

Himes tweeted several messages after the shooting:

If God is an angry God, prepare to know a hell well beyond that lived day to day by the families of the butchered. I will not be silent.
— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/jahimes/st... 13, 2016