Democrats' Dramatic Sit-In Now in Second Day

Democrats are calling their sit-in protest on the House floor a success, even though it hasn't led to the votes on gun-control legislation they demanded. About two dozen lawmakers were still taking part Thursday morning, even after House Speaker Paul Ryan adjourned the chamber about 3am until after the July 4 holiday. It was unclear how long they'd stay, but the Hill says it has the potential to be a "days-long demonstration." If nothing else, Democrats say the protest is raising awareness of the issue around the world, the AP reports. "We crossed one bridge," says protest leader and civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. "We have other bridges to cross." In other coverage:

• Ryan made a move to end the standoff with what the New York Times calls the "remarkable step" of calling a vote on an appropriations bill around 3am without any debate. The bill, which includes $1.1 billion to fight Zika, passed 239 to 171.

• Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts came up with the idea for the sit-in and recruited Lewis to lead it, reports the Washington Post. Lewis "gave us all the resolve and the grit and determination to see this through when we are back in July," Clark says.
• Republicans shut off House cameras after the sit-in began just before noon Wednesday, the Hill reports, but C-SPAN used Periscope and Facebook Live to keep broadcasting the protest. The protesting Democrats ignored GOP leaders' reminders that lawmakers are banned from using electronic devices to broadcast House proceedings.
• Ryan told CNN Wednesday night that the protest was a "publicity stunt" that would do nothing to make America safer. "This is not about a solution to a problem. This is about trying to get attention."
• Politico looks at how Democrats angered by the lack of action after the Orlando mass shooting planned and carried out the dramatic protest. "We said at the beginning of this week that we would use every tool in our toolbox," says Rep. Steve Israel. "We said some of those tools involved hammers. Some of those tools involved screwdrivers. Some are blunt, some not. We're going to keep using every single tool."

(More gun control stories.)