U.S. Representaives Donald S. Beyer Jr. and Gerry Connolly were among the Democratic Congressmen who began sitting on the U.S. House chambers yesterday at noon to protest efforts by the Republican leadership to not allow a vote on legislation designed to prevent persons on the government’s “No Fly” list from buying a gun. Rep. Beyer assailed Congressional inaction over the Orlando mass shooting and the public health crisis of gun violence ahead of a scheduled recess of the House. House Republicans voted to block consideration of H.R. 1076, the bipartisan “No Fly, No Buy” legislation, an idea supported by 86 percent of Virginia voters.

“It is unacceptable for House leaders to refuse to act at this time,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Many of my constituents have written to say that they have had enough. They are outraged that Congress would adjourn without even voting on a bill to address gun violence. They are right: it is an outrage. The Speaker should be concerned with protecting Americans from dangerous people with guns, not protecting his members from hard votes and the gun lobby.”