Dem rep on sit-in: ‘This can work’

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) said Thursday he thinks the Democratic sit-in on the House floor could be effective in pushing for action on gun control legislation.

“It’s about keeping the pressure up on the Republican majority to do the right thing and do the sensible thing,” he said on CNN.

{mosads}”This can work.”

Takano was asked what the Democrats’ end game is and if he thinks the sit-in will sway any Republicans to call for a vote. Takano said the Democrats want to show the American people there are representatives who “will fight for them.”

“Public sentiment is everything, according to Abraham Lincoln,” he said.

“It makes anything possible, and without public sentiment, nothing is possible.”

Most Americans back the measures being proposed by the Democrats, the California representative said.

“Our objective is to really show the American people, I think most of whom are behind the two very modest measures that we wanted to advance. No fly, no buy and background checks for all,” he said.

“These are no-brainers, even for Republicans, and the fact that the Republican majority won’t advance them to the floor is thwarting the overwhelming will of the American people.”