Updated: The Washington Examiner is reporting that on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m., House Democrats led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer will demand a vote on gun control by holding up photos of “victims of gun violence” while they stand at the microphone to ask for action.
Described as a “protest,” the action is a political shot at the Republican leadership, and sure to get some air time on the afternoon news broadcasts from coast to coast. Democrats are making gun control a central issue in their campaign, following the lead of presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Two months ago, House Democrats wanted a floor vote on legislation to expand background checks. They staged a sit-in on the House floor, bringing business to a halt.
According to the Washington Examiner story, the publication obtained an email tipping off the demonstration. From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., House members are also being urged to send tweets about gun control.
The political theatrics may not sway anyone, but this does keep guns on the front burner, right where Democrats want them as campaign fodder. Talking about guns is also a proven distraction from focusing on other issues ranging from international terrorism to Clinton’s health.
A new survey released this morning by Morning Consult revealed that half of the respondents believe Clinton “has given false information about her health to the public.” Last Sunday’s widely-reported, and viewed, stumble by Clinton into a van at the 9/11 Memorial has rekindled concerns about her health. There has been much speculation despite a report that she is merely suffering from a bout of pneumonia and was dehydrated. She has been off the campaign trail since the incident, which was caught on video and has streaked across social media.
Likewise, a new Rasmussen Reports survey released Wednesday morning shows that 50 percent of likely voters are concerned about Clinton’s health if she wins in November, while 49 percent are not concerned. But it appears to be a partisan split with 73 percent of Republicans and 51 percent of unaffiliated voters showing concern, and 71 percent of Democrats who are not concerned, Rasmussen said.
Clinton has made gun control a central issue of her campaign. Second Amendment advocates are concerned about the future direction of the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts if she wins the November election.
The daily Los Angeles Times poll that tracks support for Clinton and GOP rival Donald Trump has the New York business mogul up by nearly five percentage points. However, that poll has been shifting back and forth for weeks.