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The Latest: Pillows, sleeping bags for House Dems protest

In this frame grab taken from AP video Georgia Rep. John Lewis, center, leads a sit-in of more than 200 Democrats in demanding a vote on measures to expand background checks and block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists in the aftermath of last week’s massacre in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people in a gay nightclub. (Associated Press)
In this frame grab taken from AP video Georgia Rep. John Lewis, center, leads a sit-in of more than 200 Democrats in demanding a vote on measures to expand background checks and block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists in the aftermath of last week’s massacre in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people in a gay nightclub. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The Latest on House Democrats’ protest demanding a vote on gun control legislation (all times local):

11:30 p.m.

Lawmakers brought pillows and blankets to the House as the Democratic protest stretched toward midnight.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut had a sleeping bag, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts brought Dunkin’ Donuts for her House colleagues who were staying awake.

Other lawmakers also brought snacks, including some who broke House rules to eat on the House floor.

Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver II of Missouri, dressed in a pink suit, carried a pink-and-white striped pillow in his hand for several hours as he walked around the House chamber.

Cleaver, a Methodist minister, later was one of several peacemakers to break up a near-fight between a Republican and a Democratic lawmaker.

11 p.m.

Democrats and Republicans nearly came to blows on the House floor during an extraordinary protest for a vote on gun control legislation.

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas approached the Democrats and yelled, “Radical Islam!” Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida started yelling back at him. The two came within inches of each other, both yelling.

Lawmakers from both parties separated the two.

The Democrats halted the day’s legislative session with their sit-in and protest. Republicans have struggled to force the House back into session.

10:35 p.m.

The House is back in recess after two votes, and Democrats are loudly protesting for votes on gun control.

In the aftermath of the massacre in Orlando, Florida, last week, Democrats are staging an extraordinary sit-in. They shouted as Speaker Paul Ryan gaveled the House into session Wednesday night.

Democrats promised to stay until they got a vote on guns. It was unclear what would happen next in the House.

10:10 p.m.

Democrats chanted and shouted over Speaker Paul Ryan as he gaveled the House into session and tried to bring order.

Ryan pounded the gavel several times, but Democrats were relentless in their chanting. Ryan called a vote.

As Ryan left the podium, Democrats booed and some shouted, “Shame, shame.”

The extraordinary unrest continued throughout the vote on labor legislation. Democrats want a vote on gun control.

10 p.m.

House Democrats are chanting “no bill, no break!” as the Republicans move toward a vote on labor legislation.

After more than 10 hours of a sit-in on the floor, Democrats are holding photos of gun victims and papers with their names. Democrats want a vote on gun control legislation before lawmakers’ weeklong break next week.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says the House won’t vote on gun control legislation. He called the Democrats’ action Wednesday a publicity stunt and says Congress won’t do anything that could undermine the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms.