Delaware’s lone U.S. Rep. joins Democratic sit-in

A group of more than 30 Democratic U.S. House members, including Delaware Congressman John Carney joined a sit-in on the House floor Wednesday afternoon to protest the lack of a vote on a gun bill.

Carney posted pictures taken on the House floor to his official Twitter account Wednesday afternoon. “Joined the #sitin on the House Flr to urge R leadrshp to #DoSomething on gun violence. #NoBillNoBreak #goodtrouble,” Carney tweeted.

In videos posted online, the Democrats could be seen chanting “no bill, no break,” demanding House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., keep the House in session through its planned week long recess next week to debate and vote on gun legislation. 

The Associated Press reported that Georgia Representative John Lewis said action on gun violence is long overdue.

“We have lost hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence,” Lewis said as he urged fellow Democrats to stand with him in the area near the podium, known as the well.

“What has this body done” to respond to the violence, Lewis asked, then answered his own question: “Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage? How many more mothers…and fathers need to shed tears of grief?”

After the sit-in, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, tried to start the House’s work at noon. The customary prayer and pledge of allegiance went ahead, but Poe was forced to recess the House when dozens of Democrats stood in the well of the House and refused to leave.