Lawmaker says he will protest “moment of silence” in House

Shouting erupted Monday evening on the House floor after a moment of silence for the victims of the Orlando massacre as Democrats demanded that the House consider gun control legislation. He addressed the stance on the House floor, and said in a tweet, “Our silence does not honor the victims, it mocks them”.

One such Democrat was Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes, who indicated in a series of Twitter posts he would not participate in the moment of silence in protest of Congress’ consistent inaction on gun reform.

“We have to do a better job of responding to the red flags waved by people who are on the edge and showing signs of fanatic extremism or severe psychological strain, but what we shouldn’t do is simply bow our heads for a moment of silence”.

After the moment of silence ended, Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) tried to seek recognition, a request Ryan denied. Similar cries were made after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, when 20 children were killed. He noted that the site of the shooting was more than a nightclub, calling it a place where people came to raise awareness, speak their minds and advocate for their civil rights.

Spokesman Donald Stewart said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will comment on Orlando when the Senate convenes Monday. The debate over gun violence in America is perhaps looming larger than ever on the presidential campaign trail, especially given the Orlando tragedy’s distinction as the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

It’s not the first time Democrats have staged protests in response to a moment of silence after a mass shooting, though it is the first in recent memory sanctioned by their leadership.

On Sunday, Moulton had shared on social media that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the Orlando victims, drawing backlash from voters who said that gesture wasn’t enough. “I am not doing it”, Himes said afterward.

He elaborated on his position before Ryan’s moment of silence.

She referenced the no-fly list bill as one that’s had the support of the American public since the 1980s.

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