Medford Congresswoman In D.C. Sit-In Over Gun Control

MEDFORD, MA - The congresswoman representing Medford is participating in a Capitol Hill sit-in right now.

Saying they won't leave the floor until Republicans agree to take a vote on certain gun control measures, Massachusetts Congressional Representatives Katherine Clark, who represents Medford, Jim McGovern, Bill Keating, Joseph P. Kennedy III, Seth Moulton, Richard Neal and Niki Tsongas took part in a Capitol Hill sit-in Wednesday.

"We are resolved and committed to speaking out for victims, survivors, and families at home who deserve a vote," Clark said in a Tweet, as the sit-in got underway. "We're prepared to (continue) standing on the Floor whenever the House is in session to assist in bringing these bills to a vote."

At least seven of Massachusetts' nine members of congress participated in the sit-in Wednesday. Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey was also on-hand to show his support, as well U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

The representatives joined several other House Democrats in the "sit-in" protest to demand that House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) call a vote on gun legislation. Ryan's press secretary said that those occupying the floor aren't following House rules.

Last week Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy led a nearly 15-hour filibuster in an effort to get a vote on two primary legislative measures: universal background checks, or closing the “gun-show loophole,” and the prevention of suspected terrorists from buying firearms.

Murphy's filibuster was heavily-watched on C-SPAN. The network is now facing criticism because its cameras turned off during the Democrats' sit-in. C-Span says it does not control - the majority leadership does.

>> Read the full story with live updates from Patch here.

Both Massachusetts Senators joined Murphy's filibuster last week. You can read the full transcript of Sen. Warren's widely shared remarks from the floor here.

Ultimately that filibuster forced a vote, but it failed along party lines.

>> Top image shared by Rep. Donna F. Edwards via Twitter. In it, Rep. Clark is second from the right.

>> Patch will continue updating this story as it develops. Last updated at 3:29 p.m.