(VOVworld) – More than 100 Democrat congressmen, led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, gathered outside the Lower House on Thursday, after 25 hours occupying the US Congress House to call for stricter gun control measures.
 |
US. House Democrats after their sit-in over gun-control law, in Capitol Hill, on June 23, 2016 (Photo: Reuters/Yuri Gripas)
|
They told the media that the Congress needs to take action and they are trying to pressure the Republican House majority for a vote on gun control bills before the chamber's Friday adjournment. They also planed to host sit-ins in the two Houses and other major cities during the recess in July.
On a press conference the same day, House Speaker Paul Ryan said the sit-in was a publicity stunt that damaged the image of the Congress. Though congressmen disagree on policy, they need to do so within the bounds of order and respect for the system, he added.
Democratic lawmakers have held a sit-in on the floor of the House chamber since Wednesday morning, demanding a vote on gun control legislation to prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms and expand gun background checks.