In a sign of how vigorously Republicans in the state continue to oppose gun control, even in the face of a mass school shooting, members of the Tennessee state legislature are trying to expel three Democratic lawmakers who joined a protest in favor of gun reforms last week.
On Monday, Republican state Reps. Bud Hulsey, Gino Bulso, and Andrew Farmer filed resolutions aimed at booting Democratic state Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson for leading statehouse protesters in gun control chants from the House floor last Thursday. The lawmakers joined thousands of people including college students, high school students, and parents, who demonstrated at the Nashville Capitol to call for more action on gun control after three children and three adults were killed in the Covenant School shooting.
A vote will be held Thursday on the expulsion resolutions — which could pass if two-thirds of the state’s House votes in favor. Currently, Republicans have a supermajority in the House, holding 75 of the 99 seats, meaning they have the numbers to move forward if GOP lawmakers all supported these measures.
The resolutions attempt to remove Johnson, Jones, and Pearson from office on the grounds that they’ve “knowingly and intentionally [brought] disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.” The three lawmakers have acknowledged that they broke House rules by talking without being recognized, but noted that they did so to speak on behalf of their constituents who are demanding change.
Republicans’ push for expulsion is a rare and undemocratic maneuver that would remove three prominent gun control advocates from their elected positions — including two Black members. It speaks to how aggressively Republicans are pushing back on calls for gun control, in the wake of a horrific school shooting last week, and is part of an ongoing effort to limit Democrats’ power in the state.
Previously, Republicans have proposed bills that would…
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