TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 7, 2023

The Tennessee House of Representatives last night voted 69-26 to expel a second Democratic member, Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis, after voting to expel Rep. Justin Jones earlier in the day. Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville survived an attempt to expel her by a single vote, WPLN reports. The votes came a week after the trio chanted back and forth from the chamber floor with gun-control supporters who packed the gallery. Local officials in both Memphis and Nashville are indicating support for sending Jones and Pearson back to the state House. The Metro Nashville Council will meet Monday to begin the special appointment process, the Tennessean reports. In Memphis, the city commission is considering reappointing Pearson but is seeking legal clarification on its options, the Commercial Appeal reports. In related news, Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to be in Nashville today to push for gun control. She planned to meet with the state legislature's Democratic Caucus as well as young people who have been protesting at the state Capitol in support of gun reform according to the Tennessean.