House Democrats are holding a sit-in on the floor of the chamber in a push for more gun-control measures. “Now is the time for us to find a way to dramatize it, to make it real,” Rep. John Lewis said. “We have to occupy the floor of the House until there is action.” The sit-in is not being televised because the House has not been officially gaveled into session. Earlier this week, four gun-control amendments—two proposed by Democrats and two by Republicans—failed to secure the necessary 60 votes to proceed.
President Obama tweeted his gratitude for the sit-in: “Thank you John Lewis for leading on gun violence where we need it most,” he wrote.
C-SPAN cameras shut off because House Speaker Paul Ryan ordered a recess, but after the Democrats began a #TurnOnTheCameras social-media campaign, the cable network began carrying live footage via several lawmakers’ Periscope feeds:
