House Democrats End Gun Vote Sit-In After Nearly 26 Hours

• By Alison Bauter, Patch Staff

Washington, D.C. — After nearly 26 hours on the House floor, remaining Democrats called an end to a "sit-in" protest that called attention to proposals meant to curb gun violence -- if not a vote.

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Georgia Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who led the protest alongside Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark, called for an end around 1:15 p.m. Thursday. The protest began around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, but had hopes of progress dashed around 3 a.m. Thursday, after a sudden vote and immediate move to recess until after the July 4 holiday by Republican leadership.

Close to 3 a.m., Ryan held a vote on a federal emergency funding measure to combat Zika virus with no debate, sparking chaos in the House. He then enacted a parliamentary procedure to recess Congress until July 5. He called Democrats' actions a "publicity stunt" while Democrats chanted "Shame!" and pushed toward the Speaker's podium holding papers bearing names of those lost to gun violence.

By refusing to bow to Democrats' demands, Ryan and his fellow Republicans must now "answer to their constituents," Clark said in a late-night Tweet following the Zika vote.

"Please keep up the pressure by calling, emailing, engaging on social media to demand votes on gun violence," she tweeted. "We will keep up the pressure too, and demand votes to keep American families safe from gun violence."

Republicans seem no closer to taking a vote on the bill. Democrats promise their efforts aren't over.

Some legislators' sit-in continued after the House adjourned, "but the crowd began to thin considerably given the late hour," The Hill reported.

Clark was among the dozen or so still "holding the floor" Thursday morning, tweeting just after 7 a.m., "How many more American lives will be lost to gun violence while the House is in recess?"

She and her remaining fellow Democrats left the floor after almost 26 hours, with Lewis exhorting them to keep the pressure on when the House returns.

This story updated 1:22 p.m., Eastern Time, Thursday

Original Story, Wednesday:

Washington, D.C. — House Democrats started a "sit-in" protest on the chamber floor Wednesday to demand a vote on gun legislation.

"All we're asking for is a vote, @SpeakerRyan. Only reason not to hold a vote is to protect members afraid to publicly go against gun lobby," U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat from Connecticut, tweeted shortly before noon.

Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a well-known civil rights advocate, helped organize the sit-in. The lawmakers chanted "No bill, no break!" arguing that the House shouldn't take its July 4 break without voting on gun control measures.

Sen. Chris Murphy, the organizer of the recent 15-hour filibuster on gun control in the Senate, commended his congressional colleagues for urging a vote on gun control measures. He singled out Lewis for praise.

“John Lewis is a true hero. No one in Congress has done more throughout the course of their life to stand up for justice and righteousness,” Murphy said. “I’m proud of my Democratic colleagues in the House today. We will not alter the way Congress responds to the mass slaughter of our constituents without ripping up the usual script and demanding change."

Lewis came of age and political prominence in the civil rights movement. He staged sit-ins at segregated lunch counters when he was a college student in the Jim Crow-era South. He went on to help found and was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

During his time as a leader in the movement, he was attacked and arrested for civil disobedience. Over the years, he has been recognized as a champion for progressive causes.

According to the Washington Post, since the 1970s, lawmakers have only seized control over the floor twice to demand a vote in this way.

C-SPAN was initially not broadcasting the sit-in because the House is technically in recess, according to The Hill. But around 3:00 p.m. C-SPAN began broadcasting a live feed from Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) hosted by Periscope, circumventing the usual reliance on the House's equipment.

The House administration controls the video, audio and angles of the cameras and is under control of the majority leadership. C-SPAN has pushed for years to set up its own cameras, but requests have been denied by both parties.

Speaker Paul Ryan's press secretary said that those occupying the floor aren't following House rules.

As speaker, Ryan decides which bills come to the House floor for a vote. He also has authority over the Sergeant at Arms, who is responsible for ensuring that the floor is clear of anyone not currently permitted to speak, as Ari Melber explained. Only very rarely has this authority been used against other legislators.