TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 3, 2023

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, stripped two Democratic lawmakers of their committee assignments today as punishment for their role in a protest and demonstration in support of gun control at the Capitol last week. The Tennessean reports that Sexton took the action against Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville. Last Thursday, Jones and Johnson, along with Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, interrupted a debate on an education bill to join protesters in calling for gun control. With a bullhorn, the three led protestors in the galleries in several chants. Sexton said other sanctions, including expulsion, will be considered. Pearson does not serve on any committees. Sexton had earlier likened the protestors' activity to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol but tempered those remarks today, the paper said.