House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) isn’t concerned that Republicans want to throw the rulebook at Democrats for staging a 26-hour sit-in to push for votes on gun control measures,
“Make my day, make my day,” she said Thursday.
Democrats broke a number of House rules during the sit-in led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), including taking photos and video while in the well of the chamber and engaging with members of the public who were sitting in the gallery above.
“Fact is, what are they saying? We used technology on the floor?” Pelosi said. “Members use technology on the floor all the time.”
Republican leaders have also accused Democrats of damaging furniture and mistreating staff.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) met with the sergeant-at-arms on Wednesday afternoon to explore what action Republicans might take against Democrats. He reiterated on Thursday that he is looking into possible consequences for Democrats, but Republicans haven’t shared any details yet.
When the House returned from its brief break for the Fourth of July holiday, Democrats continued drawing attention to gun violence by delivering speeches on the floor. Republicans squared off with them, criticizing Democrats for taking over the floor and delaying work.
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) called the sit-in “one of the most disgraceful and childish breaches of decorum in the history of this institution.” (Reminder: In 1856, a congressman entered the Senate chamber and beat a senator into unconsciousness with a cane.)
“What are they going to do, investigate John Lewis for sitting on the floor of the House?” Pelosi said. “Will they investigate somebody for using a cellphone on the floor of the house? I don’t think so, but it would be interesting to see.”
Democrats staged the sit-in to demand votes on two measures ― one that would bar people on the no-fly list from purchasing firearms, and one that would require background checks for gun purchases made online or at gun shows.
“What I think is shameful is the fact that we have had all of these shootings in our country and the best Republicans can come up with is a moment of silence,” Pelosi said. “We all want to be respectful and prayerful, but silence cannot be the order of the day. if you don’t follow with action, the silence is insincere.”