House Democrats Stage Protest In Dispute Over Guns
WASHINGTON (KDKA) -- An unusual sit-in of House Democrats has shut down the U.S. House of Representatives because, Democrats say, Republican leaders, who control the House, have so far refused a vote on "No Fly, No Buy" gun restrictions.
The TV cameras inside the House chamber are controlled by the Speaker of the House. As the sit in began, Ryan shutdown the cameras. The rest of the contentious and emotional debate then played out on social media.
Pittsburgh Congressman Mike Doyle is one of the organizers, and KDKA political editor Jon Delano reached him just off the House floor through FaceTime.
"If you can't fly on an airplane because you're a suspected terrorist, you shouldn't be allowed to buy a semi-automatic weapon," said Doyle. "That seems like pretty much common sense to us, but for some reason, Speaker Ryan and the House Republican leadership refuses to hold a vote on this legislation."
Doyle says "No Fly, No Buy" is supported by 90 percent of Americans in both parties, so why no vote on the House floor?
"The only thing that I can surmise from this is that what they fear aren't the American people, but they fear the gun lobby, the NRA, and that's why they're not doing it, but, Jon, we get paid to vote," Doyle said.
Doyle said it was time for Republican congressmen, like local U.S. Reps. Tim Murphy, Bill Shuster, Mike Kelly and Keith Rothfus, to join him on the House floor.
"Every time these tragedies happen, we have a moment of silence and Congress does nothing," Doyle said.
Doyle urged everyone to call their representatives to urge an up-or-down vote on "No Fly, No Buy" legislation.
In the meantime, he said he and his colleagues were prepared to sit overnight and into the weekend to get a vote.
"We're tired of doing nothing here in the House of Representatives as people are being slaughtered across America," said Doyle.
"We are no longer going to sit by and allow this House of Representatives to not take a vote on commonsense gun legislation as more and more Americans are dying, and if we have to stay here all night, through the weekend, whatever it takes to get a commitment to get a vote on commonsense gun legislation, then so be it," he added.
Speaker Ryan criticized the protest Wednesday night, calling it a "publicity stunt."
Republican Ryan said, "This [sit-in] is not trying to come up with a solution to the problem; it's trying to get attention."
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
In a later Facetime interview, this time with KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, Doyle said, "I'd like Speaker Ryan to tell that to the families who have lost loved ones and watched this Congress do nothing for years."
Doyle added, "Where those kids were butchered in Connecticut and we couldn't even get background checks passed in Congress. Let Ryan go to those families, and ask if they think this is a publicity stunt."
The sit-in protest is being led by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. He is no stranger to protests. He was an influential leader in the civil rights movement decades ago.
Around 3 a.m. Thursday, the House officially adjourned for the July 4 break after passing a bill on Zika funding.
Rep. Doyle joined the "KDKA Morning News" and told Larry Richert and John Shumway Thursday morning.
"We wrapped up (the protest) around 3:30 this morning. The House Republican leadership didn't like how this was going and adjourned the House until July 5 and just shut the place down," Doyle said.
Doyle doesn't know if the sit-in will continue but said it "has changed our caucus," and they continue to pressure Republican lawmakers when they get back on July 5.
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