Congress held a moment of silence for Orlando. As soon as it was over, House Democrats erupted in anger.

Things go awry after a moment of silence.

(Image credit: Screenshot/ABC News)

published 14 June 2016

The House floor burst into a shouting match following a moment of silence on Monday for the 49 victims of the Orlando mass shooting. While House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) tried to keep order, Talking Points Memo reports Democratic representatives shouted, "Where's the bill?" and "Show some respect!"

Democrats have expressed frustration that moments of silence don't do anything for the victims of gun violence. Several representatives even walked out of the room in protest, including Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), who called the moment of silence an "abomination."

Himes' district is near Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 first-graders were killed in 2012. He has said that such moments of silence in the House are "obnoxious expressions of smug incompetence." Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.