Tennessee House of Representatives Expels Two Democratic Lawmakers After Protest Against Gun Violence

Yesterday, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to expel two Democratic lawmakers, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, for “knowingly and intentionally” bringing “disorder and dishonor” to the House. Rep. Gloria Johnson, the third member accused, survived the vote.

The expulsion vote was the result of a protest against gun violence that the three representatives had taken part in on the floor of the chamber last month without being recognized. The protest was not authorized by the House, and the three were accused of bringing “disorder and dishonor” to the House.

The expulsion vote required a two-thirds majority in the Republican-dominated chamber, and Jones and Pearson were expelled by a vote of 55-35 and 54-36 respectively. Johnson was able to keep her seat by one vote.

The pictures and profiles of Jones and Pearson have already been removed from the state’s General Assembly website, symbolizing the vacant seats that now need to be filled.

In response to the expulsion, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has called for a special election to fill the vacant seats. The election is expected to take place in the coming months. In the meantime, the Tennessee Three have been invited to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss gun control and other issues.