House Speaker Paul Ryan questioned why House Democrats were raising money off the "sit-in" that started Wednesday. Ryan blasts Dems for raising money off of sit-in

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday lambasted Democrats' “sit-in” over gun control, calling it a political stunt aimed at fundraising and suggesting it sets a dangerous precedent for House decorum.

The Wisconsin Republican said Democrats took over the House floor Wednesday to boost their campaign coffers — as opposed to out of genuine concern for victims of gun violence, as they claimed.


“If this is not a political stunt, then why are they trying to raise money off of this? Off of a tragedy?” Ryan asked, holding up a print-out of what he said included a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plea for money. “They’re sending out fundraising solicitations like this one: ‘House Democrats on the House floor.’ ‘Your contribution will go to the DCCC.’ ‘$15.’ This one says, ‘$25,’ but ‘if you want you can send us $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000. Because look at what we’re doing on the House floor. Send us money.’”

Ryan said he's concerned about the effect on how the House runs.

“I do worry about the precedent here,” he said. “I have an obligation as speaker of the House to protect this institution. We are the oldest democracy in the world… And so when we see our democracy descend in this way, it is not a good sign.”

Ryan said he has been booed and mocked before, including at the Iowa State Fair soapbox — the notorious political Q&A spot where Hawkeye State residents grill politicians—and during contentious Wisconsin recall elections.

“That I am used to, but on the House floor? No. On the House floor we have rules, order and a system where democracy is supposed to work itself out in a deliberative and respectful way," he said. “We watched a publicity stunt, a fundraising stunt, descend an institution that many of us care a great deal about.”