House members who use their phones to broadcast future floor protests could now face a fine up to $2,500, Politico reported.
The GOP on Tuesday adopted the provision while approving rules for the incoming House of Representatives for the 115th Congress.
In part, it reads: "The Sergeant-at-Arms is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for the use of an electronic device for still photography or for audio or visual recording or broadcasting in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and any applicable Speaker's announced policy on electronic devices."
A fine for the first offense is $500 and $2,500 for subsequent offenses. Members can appeal to the Committee on Ethics no later than 30 days after being fined.
Democratic members were peeved about the proposal.
"I'm not afraid," Rep. John Lewis said in a floor speech before the vote. "I've been fined before. Many of us have been fined before. We cannot and will not be silenced."
"Sadly, the first action of the new Congress will be the passage of rules changes targeting Democratic Members who participated in the 25-hour sit-in following the horrific Pulse shooting in Orlando that killed 49 and wounded more than 50," said Drew Hammill, spokesman for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. "House Republicans continue to act as the handmaidens of the gun lobby, refusing to pass sensible, bipartisan legislation to expand background checks and keep guns out of the hands of terrorists."
The news comes six months after a sit-in by House Democrats in June over a bill to strengthen background checks and ban firearm sales to people on the government no-fly list. The sit-in lasted over 24 hours.
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