(VOVworld) – After staging a historic sit-in protest in the US House of Representatives, House Democratic lawmakers are planning a "day of action" nationwide next week to keep pushing for gun control. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), left, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), center, and Charles Rangel, (D-NY), right, speak with supporters outside the U.S. Capitol building June 23, 2016 (Photo: Getty Images/ AFP) In a letter sent to all Democratic colleagues in the House on Friday, six Democratic Representatives called for holding a "day of action" on June 29. The letter came after House Democrats staged a chaotic sit-in protest on Wednesday to take over the House floor, in an attempt to push for a vote on curbing gun violence. It said that Democratic lawmakers can use any tactics on the day to keep fighting for gun control, including holding a press conference or roundtable meeting. The Democrats also called on survivors of gun attacks and law enforcement officials to join the … [Read more...] about US House Democrats plans “day of action” to keep pushing for gun control
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US House Democrats stage sit-in to demand action on guns
This video grab courtesy of C-SPAN shows a sit-in at the US House of Representatives on Wednesday in Washington, DC. — AFP Photo Viet Nam News WASHINGTON - In one of the most extraordinary scenes in years on the US House floor, Democrats staged a dramatic sit-in on Wednesday, demanding that the Republican-led Congress address gun violence following the Orlando nightclub massacre. The lawmakers’ action, which earned praise from President Barack Obama, signaled what is likely to be a protracted election-year battle over firearms -- perennially a hot-button campaign issue in the United States. "We have to occupy the floor of the House until there is action," said Democratic Congressman John Lewis -- a civil rights icon who marched with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr in the 1960s -- just before he and dozens of colleagues sat down on the carpeted floor in the well of the chamber. The interruption came just as the House presiding officer moved to declare the body in … [Read more...] about US House Democrats stage sit-in to demand action on guns
US House pushes new war funds bill Bush would veto
Democrats in the US House of Representatives said Wednesday they would press ahead with a new Iraq funding bill, despite a White House veto threat. "The House bill is going to change," promised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat. White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters President George W. Bush would veto the House bill if it reached his desk. While House Democratic leaders want to pass the new war funds bill by late Thursday, support was being measured and some aides said the vote could slip to Friday or next week. Under the bill Bush would get a $42.8 billion down payment. Then, after getting White House war progress reports in July, Congress would cast votes late that month on whether to release an additional $52.8 billion to continue fighting in Iraq through September, or to use the money to withdraw most of the troops by the end of this year. Bush wants all the money for fighting the war now and without conditions. Defense Secretary Robert … [Read more...] about US House pushes new war funds bill Bush would veto
Democrats defy Bush on spy program and immunity
The Democratic-led House of Representatives defied President George W. Bush on Friday and recessed without replacing an expiring spy law with one that would shield telephone companies from lawsuits. With the temporary law set to expire on Saturday, Bush accused Democrats of undermining U.S. security. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer denied it and accused Bush of election-year fear-mongering. Hoyer said he and fellow Democrats were reaching out to Republicans, and hoped to soon agree on a bill to replace the expiring law passed by Congress in August that expanded the power of U.S. authorities track suspected terrorists without a court order. "We will not, however, be stampeded," Hoyer said. Bush met with congressional Republican leaders at the White House on Friday morning and took aim at House Democrats. "When they come back from that 12-day recess, the House leaders must understand that the decision they made to block good legislation has made it harder for us to protect … [Read more...] about Democrats defy Bush on spy program and immunity
U.S. House Democrats re-elect Pelosi as party leader in next Congress
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday retained her leadership in the House Democratic Caucus and will fill the post of House Minority Leader when the new Congress gathers in January. In a closed-door vote among House Democrats, Pelosi defeated her only challenger Heath Shuler, a more moderate Democrat, by a margin of 150-43. The 70-year-old Pelosi, the nation's first female House speaker, has been pressured by moderate and conservative Democrats to step down after Democrats suffered substantial losses in the midterm elections earlier this month. Democrats lost their House majority on Nov. 2, while retaining control of the Senate but with a much slimmer advantage. Steny Hoyer kept the party's No. 2 post in the lower chamber and Jim Clyburn maintained his No. 3 position, with a new post that Pelosi created last week as the party's "assistant leader." In a separate vote among House Republican Caucus, John Boehner, currently the House Minority Leader, was unanimously … [Read more...] about U.S. House Democrats re-elect Pelosi as party leader in next Congress