After more than 24 hours on the floor, Democratic members of the House of Representatives have ended their sit-in in the House chamber.
The lawmakers were demanding hearings on gun-control legislation. RI Representatives David Cicilline and Jim Langevin were among them.
Rhode Island’s two representatives joined their Democratic colleagues in chastising Republican lawmakers for refusing to hear, what they call quote “common sense” gun control legislation.
At issue were two bills, one to ensure universal background checks for anyone buying a gun, and another which would restrict gun sales to suspected terrorists.
Cicilline says Republican lawmakers should at least let the bills go up for hearings.
“Debate these issues,” said Cicilline. “If you think there are merits to opposing them, make your argument, and then vote against them, but give us a vote, let the American people see your position. But they refuse to do that.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan adjourned the House around 2:30 Thursday morning. The body will reconvene after July 4th.
