No Fly, No Buy – and No More Silence
In Orlando, Florida, a gruesome act of terror and hate has left our nation horrified, heartbroken and searching for answers. The Republican refusal to act to keep guns out of dangerous hands is both reckless and immoral – and, now more than ever, it is abundantly clear that Congress has a responsibility to do more.
Today, House Democrats took to the House floor to demand a vote on bipartisan legislation to close the outrageous "No Fly, No Buy" loophole – the indefensible, dangerous legal gap that lets a suspected terrorist walk into a gun store and buy a deadly weapon. And today, for the 12th time, House Republicans voted unanimously to block the bipartisan "No Fly, No Buy" bill and protect the ability of suspected terrorists to purchase guns. As Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said about Republicans' incomprehensible vote today:
"Republicans' decision to block the bipartisan ‘No Fly, No Buy' bill is dangerous and indefensible. If you're too dangerous to fly, you're too dangerous to buy a gun."
This Congress has no right to engage in moments of silence for the victims of gun violence, and then turn around and do nothing to prevent the next tragedy. House Democrats will continue to stand tall in demanding from the Republican Congress concrete, life-saving action to confront the epidemic of gun violence in America.
Associated Press: A Day After Shooting, House Democrats Erupt in Protest
A day after a mass shooting in Orlando, Democratic lawmakers erupted on the House floor with loud criticism of House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders for leaving the nation's gun laws untouched. Some protested by leaving the House chamber during a moment of silence honoring the victims.
Democrats yelled "Where's the bill?" and "No leadership!" Monday evening after Ryan held a moment of silence for 49 people killed at an Orlando nightclub early Sunday.
The disruption came after South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the No. 3 Democrat in the House, attempted to ask Ryan on the floor when bills curbing gun use would be considered. Before Clyburn could finish, Ryan ruled his question out of order and directed the House to move to the next vote.
CNN: House Democrats protest lack of action on gun legislation
Frustrated Democrats chanted "where's the bill, where's the bill" on the House floor Monday as they tried to demand action from the Republican majority on gun control legislation…
Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, then rose to speak about the upcoming one-year anniversary of a deadly shooting at a church in Charleston where nine people were killed and attempted to ask GOP leaders when gun control legislation would be considered.
But Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, gaveled down Clyburn and other Democrats -- many wearing rainbow ribbons on their lapels in honor of the LGBT victims in Orlando -- and ordered the House to vote on an unrelated pending matter…
Clyburn wants the House to act on three gun control measures: One dealing with what he called the "Charleston loophole" that allowed gunman Dylann Roof to buy weapons since a background check that he would have failed was not completed in three days; the second would prevent people on the FBI's terrorist watch list from buying guns; the third would block anyone convicted of a hate crime from buying a gun.
Roll Call: Democratic Uproar Follows Moment of Silence
"Now do something" was heard over Speaker Ryan call to order
Democrats continued to yell, "No leadership" and "Where's the bill?"
They were referring to a bill to ban people who are on the Terrorist Screening Center 's no-fly list from being able to purchase a gun, but the point was to push for legislative action generally, Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., told reporters…
"Silence. That is how the leadership of the most powerful country in the world will respond to this week's massacre of its citizens," [Rep. Jim] Himes said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and fellow congressional Democrats are not letting their Republican colleagues forget that a year has passed since the Emanuel AME Church shooting — and there's been no action on legislation to curb gun violence.
The day after a gunman opened fire at a gay night club in Orlando, Fla., and killed 49 people, the South Carolina lawmaker broke the requisite moment of silence over the tragedy to ask when the House could expect to act on any number of pending bills to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Wall Street Journal: Democrats Challenge GOP on Gun Control After Moment of Silence in House
The House floor erupted Monday night as Democrats challenged Republicans on gun-control laws, saying a moment of silence following the deadly assault in Orlando was inadequate and that Congress under GOP control hasn't done enough after years of mass shootings.
After the House observed the moment of silence for the victims of the Orlando massacre, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D, S.C.) sought recognition to ask when a series of Democratic-backed gun-control bills could get votes on the House floor.
Mr. Clyburn's inquiry, immediately after the silent period, was clearly meant to have an impact. When House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) gaveled him out of order, Democrats began to shout "pass the bill" and "no leadership."
A moment of silence held in the House to honor victims of the mass shooting in Orlando didn't quite proceed as House Speaker Paul Ryan had anticipated. On Monday, following the moment of silence, the House floor erupted in shouts of "Where's the bill?" as frustrated House Democrats protested their colleagues' inaction when it comes to gun-control legislation.
"The moment of silence is an act of respect and we supported that, but it is not a license to do nothing, and ... Republicans have afforded it that power," said Representative Nancy Pelosi…
Huffington Post: Democrats Derail Paul Ryan's Moment Of Silence For Orlando Shooting
"Where's the bill? Where's the bill? Where's the bill?"
Several Democrats had said they would not participate in a moment of silence to mark the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, in which a gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
They said they were frustrated that Congress does not respond to mass shootings with more than symbolic gestures.
CBS:
"Where's the bill?" Democrats shouted, referring to gun control legislation.
Amid the shouting, Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, tried to seek recognition.
"I am really concerned that we have just today had a moment of silence and later this week the 17th...," Clyburn said, as he was interrupted by Ryan who then asked if he was a posing a parliamentary inquiry.
"Yes, Mr. Speaker," Clyburn said. "I am particularly interested about three pieces of legislation that have been filed in response to Charleston."
TPM:
A moment of silence is traditionally held to commemorate shooting victims, but after 49 people were slaughtered during a mass shooting at a gay nightclub on Sunday morning, some Democrats said that wasn't enough.
"Where's the bill?" Democratic reps shouted. "Show some respect!"
House Democrats staged protests Monday evening in response to a moment of silence on the floor to remember the victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest in American history…
"Where's the bill?" Democrats chanted.
"Show some respect!" other Democrats shouted.
While House Republicans respond to another horrific mass shooting with nothing but deafening silence and obstruction, House Democrats will continue to demand common sense action to save lives, honor the victims of gun violence, and keep the American people safe.