Erin Kelly

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Republicans pushed through a rule change Tuesday that would fine House members up to $2,500 for broadcasting from the House floor — an effort to prevent a repeat of Democrats' sit-ins against gun violence that were streamed live from the chamber last summer.

The House voted 234-193 to pass a package of rules that included the change.

House rules already prohibit lawmakers from taking photos or videos on the House floor, but the ban is largely ignored. The change approved Tuesday represents the first time that House members will be punished for violating the rules.

The sergeant at arms will have the power to levy the fines, which would start at $500 for the first offense and rise to a maximum penalty of $2,500 for each subsequent violation. House members could appeal the punishment to the House Ethics Committee, according to House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas.

Republicans said the change merely ensures that current House rules can be enforced. But Democrats called it a "gag rule" aimed at stifling free speech.

Sessions said he would support the rule no matter which party was in the majority as a way to maintain decorum on the House floor.

"If you're willing to pay the fine and you want to do that (take videos), that's not a gag order," Sessions said. "That's a violation of a rule. If you would like to participate in that, go for it all you want. But I don't think it's the right thing. We tried to limit (the rule)...very carefully to say we're going to make this a fine."

Democrats said the rule change was unconstitutional.

"It's a violation of free speech on the House floor," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "It's an insult to the American people by saying they shouldn't be allowed to hear us."

Democrats staged sit-ins for nearly 26 hours in June to protest Republican leaders refusal to take a vote on gun control measures in the wake of the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub. That massacre killed 49 people and wounded about 50 more.

Democrats continued to protest even after Republican leaders adjourned the House. The Democrats broadcast their sit-ins by taking videos via smartphones and other devices and streaming them live through Facebook and Periscope. C-SPAN, which normally broadcasts House proceedings, is run by the House and does not show the House floor when the chamber is not officially in session.

"When the cameras were turned off in this House there was no way to communicate with the American people, other than by . . . the streaming of the debate that was going on," said Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in House leadership.

The House passed the rules package after Republicans withdrew language what would have undercut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics.

Read more:

House Republicans drop plan to gut ethics office

Democrats continue gun control sit-in after House adjourns