Rep. Meeks Joins Rep. John Lewis & Democrats in Unprecedented Sit-In to Demand Gun Violence Votes

Rep. Meeks Joins Rep. John Lewis & Democrats in Unprecedented Sit-In to Demand Gun Violence Votes

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has joined Democrats, led by Rep. John Lewis, in a sit-in demonstration on the floor of the House of Representatives. In addition to sending a letter to Speaker Ryan (below), the group of Democrats on the floor are demanding that Speaker Ryan keep the House in session through its planned recess to debate and vote on gun violence legislation. Specifically, the group is pushing for a vote on expanded background checks and legislation preventing gun sales to suspected terrorists on the “No-Fly” list. Regarding the sit-in, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks issued the following statement:

"Following the deadliest shooting in our nation’s history, an overwhelming majority of the American people want Congress to close the loophole that allowed the hateful gunman in Orlando to murder forty-nine people and wound dozens more. The NRA, however, has muffled the voices of those demanding action on gun safety. While Americans are pleading for Congress to enact stronger gun safety laws, Republicans have sat on their hands and done nothing, disregarding the cries of victims, their friends, and their families.

“On the other hand, acknowledging the groundswell of support in preventing future atrocities, my Democratic colleagues and I have banded together to demand action on common-sense gun reform now. That’s why we’re staging a sit-in on the floor right now; we won’t let the NRA stifle progress towards safer gun laws. We won’t let the NRA control this Congress’ agenda. We’re protesting recess until this body votes both to expand background checks and to prevent terrorists on the “No-Fly” list from buying a gun.

“It’s simple and it’s common sense. We hope that Republicans will find the moral courage to stand up to the gun lobby, in the interest of the American people and in the memory of those lost in Orlando, San Bernardino, Charleston, and many of the communities in which we live.”