This Is How The House Stops Working When There's A Threat To Its Safety

The chair, Florida Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, cited "clause 12A of rule 1," which allowed her to halt activities on the House floor because of the shots fired outside the Capitol.

The clause states she can "suspend the business of the House for a short time when no question is pending before the House, the Speaker may declare a recess subject to the call of the Chair" and "suspend the business of the House when notified of an imminent threat to its safety, the Speaker may declare an emergency recess subject to the call of the Chair."

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