There’s About to Be a Major Power Struggle on the House Floor – Republicans Will Try to Take It Back
House Republicans Are About to Try to Hold a Vote on a Spending Bill as Democrats Are Holding a Sit-In to Demand a Vote on Gun Control
More than eight hours into a sit-in for gun control waged by Democrats on the actual floor of the House, Republicans will try to retake the Floor, and power, from the Democratic revolt.Â
We’ve come too far to turn back now. #goodtrouble #holdthefloor #NoBillNoBreak https://t.co/QJQvnNT8gx
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 22, 2016
It’s unclear exactly how this will happen. It could come down to Republicans using the power they wield as the majority to summon the Sergeant at Arms and have the Democratic Congressmen, somewhere around 72, physically removed from the House floor. That would be a last resort, given the bad publicity the GOP has received today by refusing to grant the Democrats’ one demand: allow a vote on gun control.Â
Hero @repjohnlewis is leading a sit-in on gun violence & @SpeakerRyan shut off the camera so you can’t watch. Shameful. #NoBillNoBreak
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 22, 2016
Democrats are prepared to stay the course, even overnight:
Dem House member tells me congressional aide just made Target run to buy sleeping bags for possible guns sit-in all-nighter.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) June 23, 2016
Huffington Post’s Jennifer Bendery tweets:
GOP is gonna force votes soon (not on gun bills). Dems chanting they’re gonna “stay! stay! stay!” here after to keep pushing for gun votes.
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) June 23, 2016
Speaker Paul Ryan did his caucus no favors Wednesday evening by heading to CNN and telling the American people, 32,514 of whom are killed by gun violence every year, that the Democrats’ efforts to stem the epidemic of gun deaths was just a “publicity stunt.”
When you’re sitting next to @repjohnlewis, you’re standing for the right thing. #NoBillNoBreak #holdthefloor pic.twitter.com/RCTLKm3dys
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) June 23, 2016
Republicans appear hesitant to force the issue, but at some point they will have to concede to Democrats’ demand or push the issue and try to hold the vote. Speaker Ryan, Politico reported at 7:57 PM EDT, “told Republicans he would try to hold a vote around 8 p.m. on legislation to override an Obama administration rule.”
Looks like House vote action might be delayed to 9:30 or 10pm or later. No Speaker has ever faced this kind of insurrection on live TV.
— Lawrence O’Donnell (@Lawrence) June 23, 2016
so @HouseGOP is voting again on something Obama already vetoed – yet Ryan accuses Dems of doing political stunts https://t.co/zRze8f6nWa
— Joe Sudbay (@JoeSudbay) June 22, 2016
The Hill reports Republican Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania says whatever the GOP does to retake the floor “will be loud and probably be noisy.”
“You might want to get in the gallery and watch the show,†he told reporters.
Jim Clyburn says members of Congress will read MLK’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” tonight during sit-in #NoBillNoBreak
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) June 23, 2016
This is powerful. Rep. Duckworth who lost both legs got out of her wheelchair to join the sit-in. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/JHnZlXDoVR
— Adam J. Smith (@AdamSmith_usa) June 22, 2016
Rep. John Lewis posted this to Facebook:Â
We have a mission, a mandate, and a moral obligation to speak up and speak out until the House votes to address gun…
Posted by John Lewis on Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Â
EARLIER:
The Speaker of the House Just Called Democrats’ Efforts to Pass Gun Control ‘A Publicity Stunt’
Breaking: After Democrats Take Over the House for Gun Control, GOP to Hold Emergency Meeting
#NoBillNoBreak: Democrats Have Literally Taken Over Congress to Demand a Gun Control Vote
Republicans Trying to Regain Control of House Floor as Democrats Stage Sit-In for Gun Control
Breaking: Dozens of Democratic Congressmen Stage Sit-In on House Floor to Demand Vote on Gun Control
Â
Image by John Lewis/Facebook
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.