Politico: House Dems plot strategy to keep pressure on for gun vote

House Democrats are coalescing around a recess strategy to keep pressure on Republicans to hold a gun control vote when they return, as lawmakers head back to their districts for the July Fourth break.

The organizers of the daylong “sit-in” protest, which effectively shut down the House earlier this week, are urging Democrats to participate in a “national day of action” on June 29. The events across the country are intended to highlight the lack of House action to address what they call the “epidemic of gun violence.”

The effort suggests that while House Democrats’ occupation of the chamber floor is over, their push for expanded background checks and prohibitions on firearm sales to suspected terrorists is not.

“While you are back home in your district, you can continue to build the momentum and engage your community,” reads the ‘dear colleagues’ letter obtained by POLITICO and signed by Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and several others. “Whether it a press conference, roundtable, or telephone town hall, we encourage you host an event showing that Democrats in Congress will keep up the fight against gun violence.”

The letter encourages Democrats to reach out to shooting survivors, law enforcement and faith leaders to help carry the message.

“We look forward to working with you as we continue our fight to bring commonsense, bipartisan, gun violence prevention legislation up for a vote,” the letter states. “Together, we can give voice to the overwhelming majority of the American people who want to see their Congress take action to help keep our communities safe."

Lawmakers have also been sent home armed with information packets, put together by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), who chairs the gun violence prevention task force, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). They include groups to contact, social media suggestions, talking points, polling numbers and other fact sheets.