Speaker Paul Ryan slammed House Democrats on Wednesday night for pushing him loudly on the floor for a vote on gun legislation, right after a moment of silence for those killed in the Orlando shootings on Sunday.
“It was a grandstand play around gun control legislation,” Ryan told Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., on Monday shouted out questions to the speaker just after the moment of silence, when Ryan was trying to return the House to a series of votes. Ryan ruled him our of order, prompting a handful of Democrats to storm out with Clyburn. The group yelled out “where’s the bill?” and “no leadership” while leaving the chamber.
But Ryan, in his first year as the most powerful member of Congress, told O’Reilly he did not know what the exiting members wanted him to do in response.
“I don’t think they wanted me to do anything, ’cause they knew they were in violation of the rules,” Ryan said.
Ryan called their actions disrespectful to the 49 families who lost a loved one after Omar Mateen opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday morning.
“I don’t think after the worst terrorist attack since 9/11 … the answer is to walk out,” Ryan said. “I think the answer is at a moment of silence to pay respect to those that are grieving the victims and their loved ones and not try to redirect attention to compromising law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights.”
