Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & votejustinj.com
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Emotions revolving around the school shooting that took place in Nashville just last week continue to invoke chaos at the state Capitol as the shouts of protestors disrupt yet another meeting of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Towards the end of Monday’s House floor session, during unfinished business, three separate resolutions were introduced concerning the actions of Democrat representatives last Thursday, when they took over the House floor with a bullhorn in the middle of session, and improperly engaged with the many protestors who have been flooding the Capitol in support of gun control legislation.
House resolutions HR0063, HR0064, and HR0065 were introduced by Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville-District 17), Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), and Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2) respectively.
These resolutions call for the expulsion of Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86), Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90), and Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52), for their disorderly behavior pursuant to Article 2, Section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution.
This was immediately met with an uproar from protesters chanting “fascists” up in the chamber balcony, a space reserved for Tennesseans to respectfully observe their state legislature in action.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton had to call out multiple times for State Troopers to clear the balcony so the House could conduct their business.
After about ten minutes the balcony had finally been cleared and legislators were able to continue their work. The House voted 70-22 in favor of scheduling HR0063 for discussion this coming Thursday.
HR0064 and HR0065 were also scheduled for consideration on Thursday by votes of 72-23. All the while, protesters continued to shout from outside the legislative chamber, loud enough to be heard behind closed doors.
Amid all the chaos and disruption, there was also an alleged altercation between a couple of the representatives themselves.
Rep. Jones attempted to voice his accusation saying, “Rep. Lafferty [R-Knoxville-District 89] pushed me and stole my phone and tried to incite a riot with his fellow members in this section of the House floor,” and telling the Speaker that he caught it all on video and would send it to him.
The representative’s microphone was then cut off and Speaker Sexton responded saying, “that is not a parliamentary question, that is an accusation […] you can have that question at a later date, but this is unfinished business.”
The aforementioned video was later posted by Rep. Jones on his social media.
Following that interaction, Rep. Parkinson (D-Memphis-District 98) spoke, acknowledging that he was likely out of order but went on to remind his colleagues that every single person in the room is reeling from the tragedy of last week’s shooting and that they should be working this out together as a legislative body, not turning against each other.
“This is not us,” he stated, “I know this body is full of a lot of good people, passionate people on all sides, but we’re bigger than the actions that we have shown the entire country a few minutes ago and before that. […] let’s let cooler heads prevail, let’s come back, let’s make Tennessee the best state that it can be.”
Reportedly, the three Democrat representatives in question have lost badge access to the building and have been stripped of their committee seats for the time being.
Each of them will have the opportunity to defend themselves and their actions on Thursday, preceding a final vote on their expulsion.
The Tennessee Conservative will continue to monitor and report on this situation as events unfold.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
8 Responses
Toss them out. They also aided and abetted the rioters in the balcony.
Amen! You can’t act like a horse’s hind end just to get what you want
Don’t talk about it, do it. Kick their butts to the street.
GET rid of them all. It’s fine for them to cause riot’s but is a conservative wants to hold a sign it’s a Insurrection!!
Need to expel the 3 Representatives which acted inappropriately while in session…
The Democrats created the “New Rules.” Republicans just need to grow a pair and follow their lead!!!
Need to expel the 3 Representatives which acted inappropriately while in session…
I heard one Democratic leader say “they just got caught up in the motive “…pathetic!
Need to expel the 3 Representatives which acted inappropriately while in session…