Vivian Jones| Nashville, Tennessean
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- The expulsion was due to three Democratic lawmakers who violated House rules to lead a gun reform protest from the chamber.
- Republicans moved quickly, knocking out two of the three in a historic vote.
- But Democrats gained widespread attention and were quickly reappointed to the House of Representatives until a special election is held later this year.
Chanting "Welcome home! Welcome home!," crowds on the steps of the Tennessee Capitol crowded around ousted Rep. Justin Jones, trying to catch a glimpse of history as Jones raised his right hand to be sworn in again Monday - less than half an hour from metro Nashville.The Council unanimously reappointed him to the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Moments later, Jones, D-Nashville,triumphantly re-entered the hall of the house, just one legislative day after he was impeached for hijacking House proceedings by using a megaphone to call for gun reform. Jones did not miss a single vote on the bill.
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, also expelled on April 6, was sworn in again Thursday, in time for the House session that morning, after a unanimousreappointment of the Shelby County Commission.
The decision by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and House Republicans to continue voting in favorkick out two young black democratsit is unlikely to threaten GOP dominance in state politics or have an impact on statewide races.
But it was a political misstep that energized state and national Democrats and catapulted ousted lawmakers onto the national stage while delivering a clear victory for Republicans.,say experts.
Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committee member from Chattanooga, said the deportation vote and the national outrage that followed was a political miscalculation that could have long-term consequences.
"They overstepped, they clearly overstepped: I don't think anybody is saying they didn't," Brock said of lawmakers who violated House rules.
But Brock said Republican lawmakers may have gone too far.
"What I suspect they failed to consider is that by treating them as harshly as they wanted, they would elevate these three to national prominence in a very short period of time and give them an opportunity to speak out on a subject, that a lot of people are passionate about . . . both sides,” Brock said.
Kent Syler, a professor of political science and public policy at Middle Tennessee State University, called the deportation vote "a major political miscalculation."
"Now pretty much everything that could go wrong did," Syler said.
Vote for Exclusion:The GOP expels Democrats Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the House for protesting gun control
A country full of racist history:GOP suspension of 'Tennessee Three' hits a nerve
With their vote, fiscally conservative Republican leaders put taxpayers on the hook to pay for two special elections to formally fill the seat — elections that Jones and Pearson will almost certainly win.
But House Republicans stand by their vote and stick together. While Sexton, considered by many to be one of the leading Republicans interested in running for governor in 2026, declined an interview for this story, a spokesman issued a statement from the entire House Republican caucus in response to a request for a speaker's statement.
"Expulsion was the right decision instead of a vote of no confidence for all three members," the club said. "The expulsions were based on the disruptive behavior of three members and their choice to hold a protest on the House floor on the House floor, disrupting the session. We are moving forward and remain focused on the tragic shooting of Covenant and will continue to pass meaningful legislation, that could have stopped or limited the woman's actions that day."
Meanwhile, Tennessee Democrats are rejuvenated, making the expulsion vote a fundraising opportunity. Democratic President Joe Biden invited the representatives to the White House. And the day after the expulsion vote,Vice President Kamala Harris met with them during a surprise visit to Nashvilleand used their stories to highlight the need for national gun control.
"Legislative Republicans have basically demoralized Democrats and put them in a bucket with a lid," Syler said. "This gave these Democrats energy and, ironically, an incredible megaphone that I haven't seen in many, many, many years."
The postponement helps national Democrats frame the 2024 gun control debate
The House Republican vote to impeach Jones and Pearson emboldened Democrats nationally, opening the door for the White House to further push gun control policies and setting the stage for a 2024 presidential campaign. The attempt to impeach a third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, she lost by one vote.
"I think this could have a bigger impact on our national politics in the near future than it has on Tennessee politics," Syler said. "It was another thing that national Democrats will use to better define the narrative they're trying to portray the Republican Party nationally."
Americans across the country disagree about whether deportation is the right consequence for Jones and Pearson.
Exclusive:The Americans call the deportation in Tennessee an 'abuse of power' and support stricter gun laws
nationalUSA TODAY/Ipsos pollof 1,016 adults taken after the expulsion vote found Americans split 49% to 48%, mostly along party lines, on whether lawmakers who disrupt legislative debate should be thrown out of office.
Overall, 51% of Americans consider the move to oust Jones and Pearson an "undemocratic abuse of power," while 42% consider expulsion an "appropriate way" to discipline lawmakers.
However, the Democrats overwhelmingly - 73% - see the expulsions as an abuse of power.
The National Party is working to exploit that. Former US Attorney General Eric Holder has signed on to represent them. US Senator Raphael Warnock and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday urging the Justice Department to investigate the deportation.
Biden condemned the expulsions as "shocking, undemocratic and unprecedented" and accused Tennessee House Republicans of choosing to "punish, silence and expel duly elected representatives" who "participated in peaceful protests" instead of acting to protect students. .
Biden did not acknowledge that Jones and Pearson's protest halted House business, nor did the president mention the bipartisan school safety bill the House passed last week — despite opposition from three members who face expulsion. Instead, the president asked Congress to pass an assault weapons ban.
As the next generation of young Democratic leaders emerges, Syler said it's not unlikely that the Tennessee Troika, as lawmakers have become known, could be invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next year.
And their fundraising machine continues to run.
That could change state legislative seats, which likely won't affect statewide races
While the new energy among Tennessee Democrats could result in flipped House seats next year, the expulsion vote is unlikely to seriously threaten the Republican majority or have broad ramifications for statewide races.
"It really raised the energy level on the Democratic side," Syler said. "They just have to find enough winnable races."
With incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, facing re-election next year, there have already been calls for Jones or Pearson to challenge her for the U.S. Senate. The US Constitution requires senators to be 30 years old before taking office. Pearson's 30th birthday will be a few days after the 119th Congress is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2025. Jones will turn 30 in August 2025.
Aside from the age issue, Syler said "it would take a pretty big change in the party makeup of the state" for a Democrat to prevail in a statewide race because of significant rural opposition.
"I don't expect many moderate Republicans — especially in many deep red rural districts — to stand against someone who says he did the wrong thing by trying to expel three members of the House of Representatives for violating the rules," Syler says. said. . "Until Democrats can reduce the toxicity of their fire in rural areas — and it's not just a Tennessee problem for Democrats — they're going to have a hard time competing across the country."
But in the suburbs, where voters are more moderate, opportunities may open up for the Democrats.
"My guess is that when the next colloquium is over, there will be an effect that will be an effect," Brock said. "I hope not, but I suspect there will be more challenges than we are generally used to here."
GOP criticism of House GOP leadership is emerging
Some active in Republican politics are expressing concern, frustration and even anger toward House leadership over the deportation vote.
Brock is concerned that the expulsion vote has hurt the Republican Party with some voters.
"I think you pushed them into the arms of the Democrats. You've not only pushed them away, you've encouraged them to maybe run candidates to run against the Republicans in Tennessee," Brock told The Tennessean. "You've given the Democratic Party and the Justins the opportunity to raise money across the country for their cause to elect Democrats to the state legislature."
A surprise visit to Nashville:Vice President Harris meets with the 'Tennessee Three' after being kicked out for gun protests
In his first public statements since leaving office, former Republican Rep. Kent Calfee on April 6 for a "dark day" for the House, saying Sexton "went way over the line" to try three impeachments, and called on his former GOP colleagues to hold a vote of no confidence in the House Speaker.
"We are now known as the most racist state in the US," Calfee tweeted. "Will new businesses invest in Tennessee by locating here or moving? The damage caused will not be repaired in my lifetime, but a good place to start is to call for a vote of no confidence in @CSexton25 like we did Glen Casada."
Republicans seek to reframe the debate
State-level Republicans not directly connected to the House of Representatives distanced themselves from the impeachment process and declined to comment directly on whether impeachment was the appropriate move.
"It was a domestic matter. My focus has been on this," Gov. Bill Lee told reporters Tuesday as he announced an executive action to strengthen background checks for gun purchases. "The right answer to that for me and for our leadership is to say, where do we go from here? That's what I've been thinking about: How do we go forward and create a safer place today than we had before?"
Likewise, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said during brief remarks last week that the protesters "may have been a bit of a nuisance," but "they behaved pretty well."
"I think their actions today were more directed at the House," McNally said during a news conference last Thursday.
Meanwhile, in the days following the deportation vote, House Republicans sought to return to the six victims of the Covenant school shooting and their legislative response.
In a joint statement released shortly before Jones' reappointment Monday, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and House GOP Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, said they would "welcome" the expelled members, were reappointed and emphasized their commitment to protecting children.
"On March 27, our country suffered a terrible tragedy that will never be forgotten. We continue to mourn the six lives lost as we pray for healing," Lamberth and Faison said. "We remain focused on solutions that ensure all children and parents feel safe in all communities across the Voluntary State."
Minutes before Jones re-entered the House chamber Monday, Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, for a moment of silence for the six victims of the Covenant shooting, as well as victims of recent tornadoes and those killed in helicopter crashes. at Fort Campbell.
"We must remember that six lives were lost a short time ago," Cepicky said. “We have to remember, members, that we represent 7 million Tennesseans from all different backgrounds, all different faiths, all different races.
"We have a job to do here: It's to continue to move Tennessee forward. I hope and I pray and I hope that you all pray that we can keep the people who have lost their lives and that we can always focus on ... trying to do the best for the people of Tennessee."
Melissa Brown contributed.
Contact Vivian Jones at vjones@tennessean.com.
FAQs
Did the Republicans eject Democrats in Tennessee? ›
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's GOP-dominated House on Thursday expelled the first of three Democratic members who were at risk of being thrown out of the Legislature for their role in a demonstration calling for gun control after the Nashville school shooting.
What is Republicans for immigration reform? ›Republicans for Immigration Reform is a SuperPAC which aims at pushing for immigration reform in the United States and improving the Republican Party's standing among Hispanics.
What is the immigration Modernization Act of 2013? ›The bill contains provisions for enhancing interior enforcement of immigration laws, including requiring the implementation of E-Verify for verification of the status of employees and increased protections of U.S. workers.
What was the political realignment of 1932? ›The Democrats went from controlling 37.7% of House seats in 1928 to 49.6% in 1930 and 71.9% in 1932, for a total gain of 34.2% in two elections. In the Senate, the Democrats went from controlling 40.6% of seats in 1928 to 49% in 1930 and 61.5% in 1932, for a total gain of 20.9% in two elections.
Did Tennessee GOP members move to oust 3 Democrats from house after gun protest? ›Tennessee GOP members move to oust 3 Democrats from House after gun protest. Tennessee Republican lawmakers took the first steps Monday to expel three Democratic members from the GOP-dominant House for their role in a recent gun control protest at the state Capitol. Resolutions have been filed against Reps.
Which Tennessee Republicans voted against expulsion? ›Seven Republicans voted against expulsion in total: Reps. Baum; Ritchey; Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna; Jody Barrett, R-Dickson; Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma; Sam Whitson, R-Franklin; and Lowell Russell, R-Vonore.
What party was founded against immigrants? ›The Democrats, Republicans, Whigs or the Know-Nothings? The Know-Nothings started in 1849 as a secret organization with an anti-immigrant agenda. Reacting against the large tide of immigrants arriving in the 1840s, they actively promoted "natives," which they defined as American-born Protestants.
Why did the US government encourage immigration? ›In 1863 President Lincoln aligned himself with the special interests and asked Congress to stimulate immigration so as to keep war industries afloat. As a result, Congress passed the Act to Encourage Immigration, which Lincoln then signed into law on 4 July 1864.
What does the Libertarian Party want to do about immigration? ›Libertarians believe that if someone is peaceful, they should be welcome to immigrate to the United States. Libertarians believe that people should be able to travel freely as long as they are peaceful. We welcome immigrants who come seeking a better life.
What is Biden's immigration policy called? ›US Citizenship Act of 2021
As introduced, the bill would give a path to citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
When did the US start limiting immigration? ›
In 1917, the U.S. Congress enacted the first widely restrictive immigration law. The uncertainty generated over national security during World War I made it possible for Congress to pass this legislation, and it included several important provisions that paved the way for the 1924 Act.
What is the Immigration Act of 1986? ›The act required employers to attest to their employees' immigration status and made it illegal to hire or recruit unauthorized immigrants knowingly.
Why was 1932 a turning point in American history? ›On November 8, 1932, Franklin Roosevelt became the first Democrat in 80 years to win the presidency by a majority vote, rather than a plurality. On Capitol Hill, House Democrats gained 97 seats for a nearly three-to-one margin over the Republicans.
What major political change in America was caused from the Great Depression? ›Roosevelt's economic recovery plan, the New Deal, instituted unprecedented programs for relief, recovery and reform, and brought about a major realignment of politics with liberalism dominant and conservatism in retreat until 1938.
What are the three R's of the New Deal? ›The 3 “Rs” of The New Deal - What did Roosevelt mean by relief, recovery and reform.
Did 3 Democrats in the TN House face possible expulsion? ›3 Democrats in the TN House face possible expulsion, the first time in state history it would not be bipartisan. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three members of the Democratic Party face an expulsion vote this week following their interruption on the House floor Thursday afternoon.
Did the Tennessee Statehouse expels Democrats? ›The Tennessee statehouse has expelled two Democratic politicians who led a gun control protest that halted legislative proceedings last week. In a rare move, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 72-25 to expel Justin Jones and 69-26 to remove Justin Pearson.
Who is being expelled in Tennessee? ›On April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on resolutions to expel three of its Democratic members — Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin J.
How many Democrats voted to expel Tennessee? ›Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members after protest : NPR. Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members after protest The Republican-led House voted to expel Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson for participating in a protest on the floor of the House over gun laws.
Why one tenn republican voted against all three expulsions of democratic lawmakers? ›Republican voted against all three expulsions of Dem lawmakers. The lone Republican to vote against the expulsion of three Tennessee Democratic lawmakers said in an interview on Friday that he voted nay because he wanted to give the now ousted members another opportunity to talk through the House rules. Rep.
Is Tennessee run by Republicans or Democrats? ›
Tennessee's politics are currently dominated by the Republican Party. Republicans currently hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats, a majority of Congressional seats, and the state legislature.
Which president created the Immigration Act of 1965? ›On October 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially signed the Immigration and Nationality Act. Because his administration believed that this was a historic legislation, he signed the act at Liberty Island, New York.
What small political party was anti immigration? ›The Know Nothing party was a nativist political party and movement in the United States in the mid-1850s.
What was the first group of immigrants to be banned from immigrating to the US? ›The Chinese Exclusion Act was approved on May 6, 1882. It was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States.
What did Biden do for immigration? ›Enhances Border Security and Immigration Enforcement.
The Budget includes nearly $25 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an increase of almost $800 million over the 2023 enacted level when controlling for border management amounts.
Answers. Almost half of the new immigrants who came to the United States in the late 1800s eventually returned to their home countries. In the late 1800s, there are many immigrants came from Southern and Eastern Europe countries such as Italy, Poland, Russia, and Greece. It is known as the NEW immigrants.
Where do most of the immigrants in the United States come from? ›Immigrants' top countries of origin in the United States
A Department of Homeland Security report in 2021 estimated that the top six countries of origin for undocumented immigrants were Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Honduras and China.
Left-libertarians generally oppose foreign military intervention on anti-imperialist grounds, while right-libertarians also generally oppose foreign military intervention and generally oppose all government foreign aid as well.
Do libertarians oppose immigration? ›Libertarian proponents of free immigration
In accordance with libertarian principles, Block holds that immigration must be permitted insofar as it does not imply aggression. Where there is a property owner willing to take in an immigrant, third parties have no grounds for complaint.
This article contends that handgun controls would give the police and military a monopoly on arms, deprive minority groups of a needed means of protection, and fail to reduce violent crime.
What is the 7 year green card bill? ›
The new immigration registry bill would replace the 1972 cutoff date with a rolling eligibility, allowing individuals to apply for registry after living continuously in the United States for at least seven years and meeting certain admissibility requirements.
What are bidens new asylum rules? ›What is the Biden administration's new asylum policy? Under the new rule, border authorities will deny asylum to most migrants who arrive at an official port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border without having first applied for asylum in a third country traversed along the way.
How many immigrants are allowed in the U.S. each year? ›The body of law governing U.S. immigration policy is called the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories.
What country allows the most immigrants per year? ›The United States is home to the highest number of immigrants in the world.
How much does it cost to legally immigrate to the United States? ›Despite its popularity, for many, becoming a U.S. permanent resident or a citizen is a long and costly process. If we sum up all the specific payments towards acquiring citizenship in the USA, the total ranges from $4,000 to $11,300. However, most people end up spending between $6,000 and $8,000.
When did US stop immigration? ›| Long title | An Act to limit the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States, and for other purposes. |
| Nicknames | Johnson-Reed Act |
| Enacted by | the 68th United States Congress |
| Effective | May 26, 1924 |
| Citations | |
|---|---|
The Indochina Migration and Refugee Act was signed on May 23, 1975, and allocated funding of $305 million for the Department of State and $100 million for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for the resettlement of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees in the United States.
What did the Immigration Act of 1990 do? ›The Immigration Act of 1990 helped permit the entry of 20 million people over the next two decades, the largest number recorded in any 20 year period since the nation's founding. seekers could remain in the United States until conditions in their homelands improved.
Who passed the Immigration Act of 1986? ›This article does not receive scheduled updates. If you would like to help our coverage grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Contact our team to suggest an update. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) was passed by Congress in 1986 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan (R) on November 6, 1986.
What is the biggest turning point in American history? ›The Civil War is the decisive turning point in American history. A nation divided against itself before—half enslaved, half free—was reunited.
Why is 1968 considered a turning point in US history? ›
The year 1968 is also described as the turning point in Americas history because of the civil rights movement, the anti-war protests, and the technological advancements made throughout this eventful year that would forever change America.
Why is 1844 a turning point in American history? ›1844 marked the election of James K.
Shortly after his election, Manifest Destiny was in full thrust as well as the Mexican-American War. Many have argued that this war was a Turning Point. After the Civil War ended, the US entered a time period known as Reconstruction, which ended in 1877.
By the summer of 1932, the Great Depression had begun to show signs of improvement, but many people in the United States still blamed President Hoover.
Who profited from the Great Depression? ›Business titans such as William Boeing and Walter Chrysler actually grew their fortunes during the Great Depression.
What 3 events led up to the Great Depression? ›- The stock market crash of 1929. During the 1920s the U.S. stock market underwent a historic expansion. ...
- Banking panics and monetary contraction. ...
- The gold standard. ...
- Decreased international lending and tariffs.
These programs became known as the New Deal, a reference taken from a campaign speech in which he promised a "new deal for the American people." The New Deal focused on three general goals: relief for the needy, economic recovery, and financial reform.
What were the three goals of the first New Deal explain? ›Among other objectives, they sought to increase agricultural prices by holding down supply, to help people remain in their homes, and to foster long-term employment. New Deal reform programs involved legislation that was intended to guard against an economic disaster like the Great Depression ever recurring.
Who are the expelled members of Congress in Tennessee? ›Tennessee has become the focus of national attention after Mr. Pearson and Representative Justin Jones were expelled from the General Assembly for breaking rules of decorum by speaking out against gun violence and Tennessee's failure to address it.
Who are the Tennessee legislators being ejected? ›Jones, Pearson and Johnson were all accused of breaching decorum after they led a March 30 protest on the floor of the state House of Representatives, following a deadly mass shooting at The Covenant School, a private institution that offers education from preschool through sixth grade.
Who were the reps thrown out in Tennessee? ›The split votes drew accusations of racism, with lawmakers ousting Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are both Black, while Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, survived the vote on her expulsion. Republican leadership denied that race was a factor, however.
Did Tennessee vote to expel 3 Democrats? ›
Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members after protest : NPR. Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members after protest The Republican-led House voted to expel Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson for participating in a protest on the floor of the House over gun laws.
What were the votes on the Tennessee expulsion? ›Gloria Johnson
The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 65–30 not to expel Johnson. It was short of the required two-thirds majority by one vote. The Republicans who did not support the resolution were Jody Barrett, Charlie Baum, Rush Bricken, Bryan Richey, Lowell Russell, Mike Sparks, and Sam Whitson.
Tennessee secedes
In the June 8, 1861, referendum, East Tennessee held firm against separation, while West Tennessee returned an equally heavy majority in favor. The deciding vote came in Middle Tennessee, which went from 51 percent against secession in February to 88 percent in favor in June.
The Tennessee House of Representatives has only expelled members twice since the Civil War.
What does being expelled from the Tennessee House mean? ›What does expulsion mean in Tennessee? Expulsion from the legislature has typically been reserved for people who take bribes, commit sexual offenses, or for felons. The votes temporarily removed representation for nearly 150,000 Tennesseans who overwhelmingly elected Jones and Pearson.
Has Congress ever removed a member? ›Article I, section 5 of the United States Constitution provides that "Each House [of Congress] may determine the Rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member." Since 1789 the Senate has expelled only 15 members.
Why one tenn Republican voted against all three expulsions of Democratic lawmakers? ›Republican voted against all three expulsions of Dem lawmakers. The lone Republican to vote against the expulsion of three Tennessee Democratic lawmakers said in an interview on Friday that he voted nay because he wanted to give the now ousted members another opportunity to talk through the House rules. Rep.
How many Republicans are in the TN House? ›The 113th General Assembly House of Representatives is composed of 74 Republicans, 24 Democrats and 1 vacancy, elected in even-numbered years to two-year terms.
Which senators have been expelled? ›| Year | Senator | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1797 | William Blount | Treason and conspiracy to incite the Creek and Cherokee Indians to assist Great Britain in invading Spanish Florida. |
| 1861 | James M. Mason | Supporting Confederate rebellion; Sebastian's expulsion was posthumously reversed in 1877. |
| Robert M. T. Hunter | ||
| Thomas Lanier Clingman |
| Year | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | John C. Breckinridge | Democratic |
| 1862 | Trusten Polk | Democratic |
| 1862 | Waldo P. Johnson | Democratic |
| 1862 | Jesse D. Bright | Democratic |
Is Nashville a Democrat or Republican city? ›
Democratic strength is largely concentrated in Nashville, Memphis, and parts of Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, and Jackson. Several suburban areas of Nashville and Memphis also contain significant Democratic minorities.
How many people have been expelled from the Tennessee legislature? ›In Tennessee, just eight lawmakers have been expelled from the house in the past. Six of those were Confederates who were expelled in the 19th century for refusing to affirm the citizenship of formerly enslaved Black people.