Members of Congress could face fines and ethics violations for disruptive behavior on the House floor under a new rule proposed by U.S. Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans.
The move comes more than six months after Democrats staged a 25-hour sit-in over gun-control legislation.
paul ryan really hated the democratic sit-in against gun violence, and he’s changing the house rules to stop it https://t.co/LH5QR5CO27
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) December 24, 2016
According to Bloomberg, a document listing the penalties revealed that:
“Members could face a $500 fine through deductions to their paychecks for a first offense of using electronic photography or audio or visual recording, as well as for broadcasting from the chamber’s floor. A $2,500 fine would be leveled for the next such offense and each subsequent violation.
The new rules also clarify which conduct is to be deemed disorderly or disruptive during floor proceedings, including blocking access by other members to microphones or what is known as “the well” — the front of the chamber.”
During the summer’s sit-in, Democrats bypassed rules and telecast their sit-in by live-streaming the House floor activities after in-house cameras had stopped rolling.
“These changes will help ensure that order and decorum are preserved in the House of Representatives so lawmakers can do the people’s work,” AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said in a statement, according to Bloomberg.
California’s Rep. Eric Swalwell responded to the report already, vowing not to back down.
.@HouseGOP wants to fine me, @RepBetoORourke & @RepScottPeters for filming #gunviolence sit-in. I’ll always stand w/ victims. Bring.It.On.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) December 26, 2016
A final version of the proposed rules package will face a vote on Jan. 3 when Congress convenes.
Social media users had conflicting reactions and posted their comments on Twitter.
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@RepSwalwell @HouseGOP @RepBetoORourke @RepScottPeters heaven forbid we the voters get to see who is standing up for them #thankyou
— Chris Doyle (@Doylegk) December 26, 2016
No congressman has a right to violate the rules of Congress to push an agenda – any agenda @RepSwalwell
— Matt Maggio (@MaggioMatt) December 26, 2016
Congress has rules – and the majority sets the agenda; elections matter. Any issue is decided by elections not trantrums @digitalbrain242
— Matt Maggio (@MaggioMatt) December 26, 2016
@RepSwalwell @shannonrwatts @HouseGOP @RepBetoORourke @RepScottPeters dont worry, we will take care of you! Freedom of speech! Dont stop
— resistance (@Emeraldluxury) December 27, 2016
@RepSwalwell @HouseGOP @RepBetoORourke @RepScottPeters filming illegal? Someone should introduce legislation to counter that.
— Robert Acree (@robertacree) December 26, 2016
Do you want legislation-by-tantrum by minority factions – at any time, on any issue? @digitalbrain242
— Matt Maggio (@MaggioMatt) December 26, 2016
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