Washington (CNN)Georgia Rep. John Lewis is leading a sit-in on the House floor Wednesday to push Republicans to address gun violence in the legislative chamber.
Lewis wrote a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan demanding that he keep the House in session through its planned recess to debate and vote on gun control legislation.
"As the worst mass shooting in our nation's history has underscored, our country cannot afford to stand by while this Congress continues to be paralyzed by politics," the Georgia Democrat and civil rights icon wrote. "We urge you to lead the House into action and work with both sides of the aisle to pass commonsense solutions to keep American children and families safe."
Just after noon. the House was gaveled back into session for the regular noontime prayer and Democrats remained in the chamber to protest the lack of a vote.
While the House was recessed, dozens of House Democrats joined the sit-in in the well of the House reading names of gun victims to visitors in the House galleries.
Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, who exited the chamber briefly, told CNN that Democrats planned to stay "as long as we need to -- all day, all night."
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a veteran of the civil rights movement like Lewis, told CNN he didn't know how long Democrats planned to keep the sit-in going.
Other lawmakers joining Lewis include Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson, Michigan Rep. Dale Kildee, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes and Conneticut Rep. John Larson.
Lewis wrote a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan demanding that he keep the House in session through its planned recess to debate and vote on gun control legislation.
"As the worst mass shooting in our nation's history has underscored, our country cannot afford to stand by while this Congress continues to be paralyzed by politics," the Georgia Democrat and civil rights icon wrote. "We urge you to lead the House into action and work with both sides of the aisle to pass commonsense solutions to keep American children and families safe."
Just after noon. the House was gaveled back into session for the regular noontime prayer and Democrats remained in the chamber to protest the lack of a vote.
While the House was recessed, dozens of House Democrats joined the sit-in in the well of the House reading names of gun victims to visitors in the House galleries.
Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, who exited the chamber briefly, told CNN that Democrats planned to stay "as long as we need to -- all day, all night."
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a veteran of the civil rights movement like Lewis, told CNN he didn't know how long Democrats planned to keep the sit-in going.
Other lawmakers joining Lewis include Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson, Michigan Rep. Dale Kildee, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes and Conneticut Rep. John Larson.
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