Roundup: House Democrats Demand Action on Gun Violence
Voice of America: Democrats Force Protest Votes in the House Over Gun Violence
Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate used procedural tactics Tuesday to try to get Republican leaders to take up legislation to respond to the recent spate of mass killings in the United States…
In another attempt to raise awareness of the issue, House Democrats held a forum Tuesday, inviting experts to a task force to try to find common sense solutions to what they call a gun violence "epidemic" in the United States.
Democratic Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said the mass shootings have become all too frequent, and called on Congress to do more than simply hold a moment of silence for the victims: "Our inaction is unconscionable. Our silence is just inconceivable. How can we remain silent? Enough is enough. No more violence. No more silence."
POLITICO: House Democrats try to force guns votes
Democrats are gumming up the House floor with procedural tactics in an effort to force a vote on gun control…it offers Democrats a chance to highlight Republican opposition to gun control legislation that would stop people on the terrorist watch list from buying firearms. Democratic leaders hope the delays will pressure Republicans to back the bill by GOP Rep. Peter King of New York.
Beyond the procedural gambit Tuesday — lawmakers have taken six roll call votes on a motion to adjourn as of 2:45 p.m. — Democrats also held a forum on gun control and will hold a press conference with advocates from Newton, Conn., the site of the 2012 mass shooting at an elementary school.
Roll Call: Democrats Tie Up House Floor to Force Vote on Guns Bill
House Democrats want Republicans to give them a vote on legislation to ban individuals on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns.
Members of the House Democratic Caucus launched a plan to force as many as 15 procedural motions to adjourn throughout the day, with others expected throughout the balance of the week, in a bid to force GOP leaders to bring up legislation that would give the attorney general authority to deny gun licenses to anyone deemed to be engaged in terrorist activities…
Earlier in the day Tuesday, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairman Steve Israel of New York said he and his colleagues were aiming to "shame Republicans into giving us a vote on stopping terrorists for buying guns in America."
The Hill: Dems force protest votes on gun control
House Democrats on Tuesday forced protest votes as part of a push to call attention to gun control measures in the aftermath of a series of recent mass shootings.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) made a motion to adjourn as the House began legislative work for the day on noncontroversial homeland security-related bills.
"Since the House won't take up legislation to prevent the senseless deaths of 30 people killed today by someone using a gun, I move that the House be adjourned," Thompson said.
Associated Press: Hill Democrats seek spotlight to curb terror suspects' guns
Democrats took to the floors of the Senate and House on Tuesday to draw attention to their drive to prevent suspected violent extremists from obtaining guns…
In the House, Democrats led by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., a leading gun control advocate, forced a series of procedural votes to protest GOP leaders' refusal to allow debate on legislation by Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.
Washington Examiner: Dems stage protests in Congress over gun control
Democrats on Tuesday used delay tactics in both the House and Senate to protest the lack of any consideration in Congress on new gun control legislation.
In the House, Democrats made a motion to adjourn four times, forcing lengthy votes each time, as part of a bid to get the GOP leadership to call up legislation that would prevent anyone on the FBI terror watch list from purchasing guns or explosives. Democrats voted against their own motion each time, but the votes slowed the House's work dramatically, and members were forced to hold votes on non-controversial bills in between.
…Democrats also held a hearing of their gun violence task force, which House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., used to again call for gun legislation.
LA Times: California members stall business on House floor as Democrats try to force gun control votes
Democrats in Congress attempted to force a vote on gun control measures in both houses Tuesday, further pressuring Republicans to address gun violence days after the San Bernardino shootings.
… In a letter to House Democrats, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Congress has a "moral responsibility to pass this common-sense legislation to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and protect America's communities."
CT Mirror: CT lawmakers at heart of new Dem gun control campaign
Democrats in Congress, including those from Connecticut, ratcheted up the pressure on Republicans Wednesday to take up gun safety measures…
… Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, vice chair of the gun violence task force that held the hearing, said, "As we approach the third anniversary in Newtown, Connecticut, in my district, it is particularly shocking and disappointing that this body, the House of Representatives, which is supposed to protect and support the American people, has not taken action."
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, held up a map of the United States spattered with red dots, each marking the place of a mass shooting, which gun control advocates often define as the shooting of four or more people.