April 10, 2023 One of ousted Tennessee lawmakers heading back to House

Table Of Content

• Expelled Tenn. Democrat Slams GOP: 'We Can Never Normalize The Ending Of Democracy'
• Tennessee passes bill to let teachers carry guns, a year after mass shooting
• Democrats debate video recordings taken on House floor
• Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest
• Ousted lawmaker sworn back into his House seat on steps of state capitol

During the proceeding, loud protests could occasionally be heard from off the chamber's floor. Jones said if given the opportunity to return to his seat, he will continue to fight for gun reform legislation in Tennessee. Nashville Vice Mayor Jim Shulman told ABC News the consequences of the lawmakers' expulsion go beyond partisan politics, as thousands of Tennesseans are now without representation. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones, the youngest of two Black lawmakers expelled from the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives, spoke out in a new interview with ABC News.

Expelled Tenn. Democrat Slams GOP: 'We Can Never Normalize The Ending Of Democracy'

Zephyr told conservative lawmakers they would have "blood on their hands" during debate on SB99, which would ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth. That sparked more outrage among critics who contend that Tennessee’s white GOP state leaders have long refused to trust Black local leaders. The bill does not provide a framework for the state to track how many teachers are armed and where, lay out any protocol for dealing with a teacher-involved shooting or establish requirements for storage of guns. Democrats also questioned whether the training would be enough to equip a teacher to confront a gunman who has a semiautomatic weapon.

Tennessee passes bill to let teachers carry guns, a year after mass shooting

"None of us believed that we were doing anything that deserved expulsion from the House," he explained, adding that the House rules dictate that a member who violates the rules of decorum should face "censure" and not "expulsion." "I was told that we were crowding around the clerk's desk," he said, referring to the language in the motion against him and his colleagues. "And I gotta be honest with you, I just realized they were talking about this desk and not the one up there," he said pointing to the speaker's desk. State Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, listens to remarks on the floor of the House chamber, Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Windle argued that contrary to the motion submitted for her removal of the House, Johnson never shouted or pounded the podium or displayed a sign containing a political statement while she was in the well last week — all of which would be in violation of the House rules. Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, delivers remarks on the floor of the House chamber Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

Democrats debate video recordings taken on House floor

Clemmons asked the House Clerk to read House Rule 2, which prohibits recording and live streaming of House proceedings by members. Clemmons then argued that the member who recorded the video which appeared to be made from the House floor violated House rules should also face consequences. After further debate, Sexton directed the House Clerk to read the expulsion resolution for Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, officially triggering his 20-minute defense. “It also shows Mr. Lafferty videotaping on this house floor,” Rep. Bo Mitchell said. Democrats argued that the member who recorded video on the House floor was in violation of the chamber’s rules, and should face consequences. Jones accused the Republican supermajority of strategically silencing democrats, and implied that expulsion of the three could have racist intentions.

Legislators from 35 other states support Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson

Meanwhile, protest leaders were keeping tabs on the proceedings inside, periodically updating others on what was happening. Several in the crowd also had phones held close as they watched the livestream of the session. Jones said he acted in representation of the 78,000 people in his district, many of whom are young people who cannot vote.

Second expelled Black Democrat reinstated to Tennessee House

The bill’s passage, following earlier approval by the state Senate, marked another turbulent moment in the state’s debate over firearms and school safety, as parents lobbying for gun-control measures again came up against the GOP supermajority. President Biden released his own statement late Thursday, slamming Republicans for focusing on the House protest instead of meaningful action to prevent another school shooting. “We called for you all to ban assault weapons, and you respond with an assault on democracy. That is why the nation is watching you today,” Jones said, challenging his Republican colleagues.

Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest

President Joe Biden on Thursday night slammed the decision to Tennessee House Republicans to expel two Democratic lawmakers after they broke House rules to lead a gun-reform protest from the chamber's floor. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, likened the events to an "insurrection," even comparing the March 30 peaceful protest that resulted in zero arrests to the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Though he later walked back the comments, saying his remarks were directed at the three lawmakers and not protesters. Sexton this week said he considered the unprecedented floor protest an act "against civil authority."

Tennessee House gavels in for session

Here's what to know about the "Tennessee Three," the events that led up to Thursday's vote, and what happens next. Lee, a Republican, had announced his support for the proposal just the day before while flanked by top Republican legislative leaders who had helped shepherd the bill through the GOP-dominant General Assembly. Rep. Gloria Johnson evaded expulsion for her participation in the protest by one vote. On Wednesday, in a hearing before the vote about disciplinary actions Zephyr could face, she defended her words. The bill passed and is now on the desk of Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has signaled his support for the legislation. "As I left the House chambers, I pressed my light to speak—a reminder that this legislature is removing 11,000 Montanans from discussion on every bill going forward," Zephyr tweeted.

Tennessee House panel passes potentially unconstitutional ban on expelled lawmakers • Tennessee Lookout - Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee House panel passes potentially unconstitutional ban on expelled lawmakers • Tennessee Lookout.

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A spokesperson for the Tennessee state House GOP caucus did not respond to questions from NBC News. Mannis, who in 2021 became the first openly gay Republican member of the state Legislature, left office earlier this year after just one term, alleging that Republican leaders in the chamber had silenced his efforts to guide them away from their intense focus on social issues. “What happened in the state Capitol last week — I don’t see how it has any positive impact on the Republican Party.

During welcoming and honoring remarks, Johnson welcomed buses of protestors who traveled from Knoxville. "I don't think I'd have the courage and the forgiveness to honor the seventh person, but Katherine did," Freeman said. "It reminds us that we all need to be forgiving and not be distracted by everything that's going on around us. Remember that seven people died last week. Congressman Steve Cohen, (D-Memphis), wrote a letter to Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, asking him to consider alternative reprimands for Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson who face expulsion. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre began Thursday's briefing by addressing Tennessee Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson imminent expulsion from the House. Four hours after the House went into session, and 29 bills later, members are taking up the issue of expulsion for Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson.

Tennessee GOP Bill Seeks to Bar Localities From Reappointing Expelled Legislators - Truthout

Tennessee GOP Bill Seeks to Bar Localities From Reappointing Expelled Legislators.

Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

He pumped his fists and silently mouthed, “This is our House.” Those in the gallery pumped their fists back and mouthed “Our House” as Pearson circled around the floor. Tennessee’s GOP-dominated House expelled two Democratic lawmakers over their roles in a gun control protest. In the wake of the expulsions, Tennessee House Republicans also installed new rules this year that limit how long lawmakers can debate bills and restrict members deemed “out of order” from speaking, potentially for a couple of days for some repeat offenses. Republicans are also proposing constitutional amendments for voters that would ban lawmakers from returning to office after they were expelled.

I’m proud that Metro Council is meeting Monday to fill the vacancy left in Nashville by today’s vote, & I believe they’ll send @brotherjones_ right back to continue serving his constituents. President Joe Biden issued a statement Thursday night calling it "shocking" and "undemocratic." "This is not about expelling us as individuals. This is your attempt to expel the voices of the people from the people's house. It will not be successful," Jones said before the vote to expel him. "Your overreaction, your flexing of false power has awakened a generation of people who will let you know that your time is up." A principal, school district and law enforcement agency would have to agree to let staff carry guns, and then workers who want to carry a handgun would need to have a handgun carry permit and written authorization from the school’s principal and local law enforcement.

At an evening rally, Jones and Pearson pledged to be back at the Capitol next week advocating for change. Many GOP officials and activists who spoke to NBC News defended the expulsions, saying the only misstep was not removing Johnson as well. Jones then said, “Some may argue that this is a neo-Nazi rally happening every time we convene in this body,” prompting the vote that his comments were out of order.

The legislation is the biggest expansion of gun access in the state since last year’s deadly shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville where shooter indiscriminately opened fire and killed three children and three adults before being killed by police. Senate leaders kicked a group of parents and advocates out of the gallery for protesting before the chamber’s April 9 vote. On April 15, about 250 Nashville high school students left class, according to a Moms Demand Action estimate, and marched to the Capitol.

"The fact that this vote is happening is shocking, undemocratic and without precedent. Across Tennessee and across America, our kids are paying the price for the actions of Republican lawmakers," Jean-Pierre said. House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, objected as the 7-minute video could not reflect the entirety of the circumstances including the shooting, protests, and subsequent demonstration by members on the floor. He argued that the caucus had no notice of intent to show the video, and the three members facing expulsion did not have opportunity to review the video before proceedings. Before the final vote, all democrats in the chamber gathered around Johnson as she read the names of the six victims killed at the Covenant School last week during her closing remarks. As the resolution to expel Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, was read on the House floor, Johnson addressed her supporters in the Capitol outside the chamber doors.