Coming on the heels of a filibuster in the Senate, House Democrats are staging their own act of political theater in a push for legislation on gun violence.
Led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a group of Democrats are holding a sit-in on the floor of the House. The action of literally occupying the floor is a bit unusual, something Lewis acknowledged in his speech:
"Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes you have to make a way out of no way. We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time where you have to say something; you have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time. Now is the time to get in the way. The time to act is now. We will be silent no more. The time for silence is over."
In his own fiery speech, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) said, “The soul of this nation cries out for a vote.”
This comes just as reports began circulating that some Senate Republicans are planning to defy the National Rifle Association and support a bipartisan guns bill.
A few of the House Democrats are tweeting pictures:
I'm on the House floor with @repjohnlewis & Dems staging a sit-in to demand action on commonsense gun legislation pic.twitter.com/byIivby5gG
— Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) June 22, 2016
Time to occupy the House to demand action. #NoBillNoBreak #DisarmHate pic.twitter.com/C7BZpzNvxL
— Rep Donna F Edwards (@repdonnaedwards) June 22, 2016
Watch Lewis' speech below:
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