House GOP Could Seek Punishment For Democrats' Sit-In: Report

By Alison Bauter (Patch Staff)

House GOP leaders are reportedly examining possible recourse for Democrats' day-long takeover of Congress last month in protest over gun violence measures.

The sit-in protest was organized in part by Georgia Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta, who joined fellow Democrats to - at times literally - sit on the House floor as they demanded a vote on gun control measures for nearly 26 hours.

• Read More: House Democrats Hold 'Sit In' to Demand Gun Control Vote

In that time, House Speaker Paul Ryan called Congress into recess, cutting out C-SPAN's live cameras. Democrats used smartphones and tablets to stream live footage of their protest in the interim. Democrats also rushed the Speaker's podium when Ryan reconvened the late-night session, and otherwise disrupted the normal rules of order and debate.

According to the New York Times, filming and streaming video in the House violates the chamber’s rules. Standing in the well of the House floor and cutting off debate also constitute potential violations.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters from the Times and other outlets Tuesday Democrats' behavior wasn't “becoming of the U.S. Congress."

“This is not the way the House should work,” he said, suggesting Democrats mistreated House staff during the sit-in and potentially damaged furniture.

The paper reports these comments "seemed more indicative of the gulf between the parties than of any real likelihood of punishment for Democrats. Censure of individuals seems very unlikely, given how many participated, and any attempts to penalize them could backfire, with Democrats wielding any such penalty as a badge of honor for their willingness to take on the majority."

>> Read the full story from NYT here. <<

Ryan, who has called the sit-in a "stunt," is meeting with Democrats today. However, he has indicated he will not be bringing their proposed policies - which include banning gun purchases for those on the federal government's "no fly, no buy" watch list and universal background checks - up for a vote.

Republicans followed the sit-in with a package of their own, albeit geared toward terrorism and mental health, rather than explicitly addressing Democrats' gun concerns. One piece approaches their "no fly, no buy" proposal by notifying authorities and introducing a three-day delay on gun purchases for those being investigated for terrorism. In that time, federal authorities can move to prevent a suspected individual from buying firearms.

Ryan told reporters the move is meant to protect individuals' rights to due process, and to ensure local law enforcement investigations are not compromised.

"Let me say this: there isn't a person in Congress who wants a terrorist to get a gun," he said.

>> Photo via Rep. Donna F. Edwards