House GOP leaders will meet with the Sergeant at Arms Tuesday to determine whether to take punitive action against Democratic lawmakers who seized the floor in a “sit-in” demonstration last month.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said further demonstrations will “not be tolerated,” but declined to say what action, if any, Republicans would take if Democrats revive their demonstrations in the well of the chamber.
McCarthy told reporters that he would join House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a meeting with the Sergeant at Arms over how the Democrats behaved during their demonstration, which lasted about 25 hours beginning on June 22.
“We will be looking at all the facts and then deciding what should be done,” McCarthy said.
Violations by the Democrats who participated in the demonstration include live video streaming from the House floor, which is prohibited, and mistreating floor staff, including “intimidation and even knocking things out of the hands of professional staff.”
During the demonstration, Democrats shouted and held up signs during legislative business, forcing House GOP leaders to end the week early. Democrats remained on the floor even when the cameras and microphones were turned off, giving speeches. Democrats say they are prepared to keep demonstrating on the floor if Republicans refuse to allow votes on two gun control measures.
