Tsongas statement on Historic, 26-Hour Sit-In on House Floor

Statement

Beginning on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, House Democrats sat-in for 26 hours on the House Floor to demand that Speaker Ryan and House Republicans allow a vote on bipartisan, commonsense gun violence prevention legislation. Specifically, Democrats called for a vote on two bills:

· H.R. 1217 -- The bipartisan King-Thompson legislation to expand and strengthen our background check system;

· H.R. 1076 -- The bipartisan "No Fly, No Buy' bill to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists. House Republicans have voted 14 times to block consideration of the bipartisan "No Fly, No Buy' legislation.

During the sit-in, House Republicans adjourned and recessed the House of Representatives without bringing gun violence prevention legislation up for a vote. The House is not scheduled to reconvene until July 5.

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) participated in the sit-in and released the following statement today:

"I was honored to join Representative John Lewis, an esteemed colleague and moral authority in the Congress, and the entire Democratic caucus at the sit-in on the House Floor. Together, our efforts amplified the voices of the majority of American people who want Congress to take action to address gun violence.

"Over the past 24 hours, my office has received thousands of calls, emails, tweets and comments in support of the sit-in and to taking action on gun violence prevention measures. This is just a snapshot of the large majority of the American people who want action. This month, CNN showed that 80% of Americans -- 90% of Republicans -- support closing the terrorist watch list loophole, while 92% of Americans favor expanded background checks. There is legislation available right now that would accomplish both of those endeavors, all while protecting Second Amendment rights.

"But the GOP leadership has repeatedly denied even a debate, let alone a vote, ignoring the public's outcry for action. Early this morning, in the dead of night, the GOP's response to the Democrat's sit-in was to adjourn the House, flee Washington and deny the will of the American people.

"As Representative Lewis once said, history has called us here to vote. And that is what we should be doing; we are simply asking for a vote on commonsense, bipartisan legislation that could save lives.

"Our constituents sent us here to cast a vote on their behalf. The steady stream of calls, hundreds of people who gathered outside of the Capitol and tens of thousands who spread the word on social media, all supporting this effort validates the desire to see Congress take action. We will return to our districts to keep the momentum going and we will return on July 5 with even greater resolve. We have a moral responsibility to pursue change."

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