Thursday, June 23, 2016

24th June: Democrats vow to continue gun control debate

The Democrats of the U.S. House of Representatives are vowing gun control will remain on the political agenda when they return from recess in July.

After more than 25 hours of speeches, and in violation of parliamentary rules, the Democratic lawmakers ended their sit-in, protesting the lack of progress on legislation to reduce gun violence.

Our U.S. correspondent Priscilla Huff reports:

IN: " Aurora, Sandy Hook   ....
OUT: SOC
DUR: 3:00


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Aurora
Sandy Hook
Charleston
Orlando

This litany of tragedies is why the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives thinks
there's no time like the present to work on legislation to limit gun ownership.
Minority leader Nancy Pelosi.

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And while the Republicans denounced the sit-in as nothing but publicity stunt,
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan did leave the door open a little
saying there is due process - a committee process - to pass legislation.
Speaker Ryan was not happy with how things proceeded on the floor on the last day before recess.

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But Speaker Ryan did not call on the sergeant at arms to remove the Democrats
allowing the sit-in to continue
and on the other side of Capitol Hill
Senators debated related gun control legislation.
House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi promises the political work will continue.

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Both Republicans and Democrats know the world is watching.
While the second amendment to the U-S Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms,
they also know that in the wake of these tragedies,
there are legitimate questions about whether and how to regulate gun ownership.
And they are worried about the political chaos.
Speaker Ryan:

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And after 25 hours of speeches
and literally sitting on the floor of the lower chamber of the U-S Congress
they are vowing to take up the political battle again in July.
Representative John Lewis

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With just a few weeks in session left for the U-S Congress
due to the American political calendar and elections
the question remains if the Republicans will follow through on their promise
to get the legislative work done on gun control
and whether the Democrats can keep the attention on the issue
after their social-media fueled success.
at winning attention to this issue.
Priscilla Huff, Washington

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