With Historic 26-Hour Sit-In on House Floor, Rep. Bobby Scott Tells Speaker Ryan and House Republicans: No Bill, No Break

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a historic move to demand legislative action from Congress, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) joined House Democrats’ 26-hour sit-in on the House Floor to protest Speaker Ryan and House Republicans’ refusal to allow a vote on bipartisan legislation to address gun violence. Last night during the sit-in, House Republicans abruptly adjourned the House of Representatives until July 5th without bringing gun violence prevention legislation to the Floor for a vote.

“House Republicans cut and run in the middle of the night, brazenly denying the American people a vote on bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation that can help save American lives,” said Rep. Scott. “But even as Republicans tried to shut down the Floor and shut out our voices, this unprecedented sit-in led by Congressman John Lewis sent a clear message to the American people – it’s not going to be business as usual in the House of Representatives anymore. There are several bipartisan proposals currently pending that the House could take up immediately. It is time for House Republicans to do their job and call a vote on these measures.”

House Democrats sat-in for 26 hours on the House Floor to demand that Speaker Ryan and House Republicans allow an immediate vote on bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation to help keep guns out of dangerous hands, with two bills:

• The bipartisan King-Thompson legislation to expand and strengthen our background check system;
• The bipartisan ‘No Fly, No Buy’ bill to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists. House Republicans have blocked consideration of the bipartisan ‘No Fly, No Buy’ legislation 14 times.

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