WASHINGTON _ House Republican leaders are considering whether to reprimand House Democrats over the 25-hour anti-gun violence sit-in that shut down the chamber last week.
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have been highly critical of the Democratic protest and will be meeting with the sergeant at arms Tuesday at the Capitol to discuss the issue.
"That is not the way the House should work," McCarthy told reporters. "That behavior, and the breaking of the rules, I've never seen in my lifetime. ... To me, I don't think that's what democracy looks like to the rest of the world, I don't think that's what the United States Congress looks like. ... That type of behavior cannot be tolerated."
As the House gaveled into session Tuesday after the long holiday recess, Democrats picked up where they left off, with lawmakers taking turns demanding a vote on legislation to limit access to guns.
It was unclear if Democrats would resume their sit-in, which was led by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the civil rights leader, and essentially brought House business to a halt in the aftermath of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
Under pressure to respond to increasing support for gun control measures, Republican leaders scheduled a vote on one bill this week. The measure, which is supported by the National Rifle Association, helps prevent gun sales to terrorism suspects. But Democrats say it does not go far enough to stop gun sales, and it was already rejected in the Senate.
A spokesman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the GOP investigation more evidence of Republicans siding with the powerful gun lobby.
"The lengths the House Republican leadership will go to follow the NRA's marching orders know no bounds," said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.
McCarthy did not say whether Democrats would be punished or censured for the sit-in's violation of House rules _ namely, that lawmakers used social media to post video of the proceedings after the official video feed was shut off. Democrats were also criticized for sending out fundraising appeals from the protest.
"We expect members of Congress to adhere to the rules and the decorum of what is expected by being onto the floor," he said.
