Wow! Some major unprecedented things are happening in Tennessee right now! It has been reported that Republicans in the state’s House have voted to expel a few Democrats. All of the Democratic lawmakers who were ousted had previously protested against guns and the violence behind them. And the White House has responded.
Republican Lawmakers In Tennessee Vote To Expel Democrats Who Protested Against Guns; The White House Calls It ‘Shocking & Undemocratic’
On Thursday (April 6), it was learned that Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones (first-time lawmaker) and Justin Pearson (first-time lawmaker) were all on a ballot to be expelled.
Gloria Johnson (serving since 2019), was also on the ballot, but has survived the expulsion attempt. The move arrives after all three lawmakers led chants with a bullhorn on the House floor last Thursday (March 30).
The protests against gun violence came in the wake of the school shooting that recently occurred in Nashville — which killed six: three children, two adults, and the Christian school’s headmaster.
As for the explicit reason for the lawmakers’ expulsion, it was detailed that they all “engaged in disorderly behavior, and knowingly and intentionally brought disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.”
As of Monday (April 3), State House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) said that the Democrats in question were all pulled from their committee assignments.
Speaking against big move were the officials inside of the White House. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took to her podium to address the nation.
She said, “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 who continue to refuse to take action on stronger gun laws.”
Jean-Pierre added that President Joe Biden plans to continue to call upon Congress to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and to also mandate safe gun storage and strengthen background checks.
Also speaking out about the two Black democrats that were ousted from the Tennessee House of Representatives, is Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s daughter, Bernice King.
Taking to her official Twitter account, King wrote, “So this attack on #democracy is also a #racist attack, as the third lawmaker, rep. Gloria Johnson, is white. A disastrously amoral day for Tennessee House Republicans in a state reeling from a school shooting.”
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