On Thursday (4/6/2023), the Tennessee House of Representatives voted out two of three Democratic lawmakers who broke House decorum rules when they protested for gun control measures on the House floor. Representatives Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis were expelled. Representative Gloria Johnson of Knoxville held on to her seat by just one vote.
The protest by Jones, Pearson and Johnson came after three 9-year-old children and three adults were fatally shot at The Covenant School in Nashville by an individual armed with an assault rifle and other firearms.
Each expelled legislator’s home County Commission may appoint someone to fill their House seats in the interim until their term expires.
Metro Council member Freddie O’Connell said there will be a Special Meeting on Monday (4/10/2023) to address the expulsion of Mr. Jones of Nashville. It is O’Connell’s understanding that the Metro Council has the power to send Jones right back to the House of Representatives if they so choose.