Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel Sits In for Gun Control Legislation

Longtime Harlem Congressman Rep. Charles Rangel joined House Democrats on Wednesday in a sit-in to demand a vote on gun reform legislation.

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The 86-year-old representative of New York's 13th Congressional District was one of several Democrats in the House of Representatives that seized control of the floor when the chamber was scheduled to break for the afternoon.

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.

Connecticut 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.

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.

[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]