Current:Home > ContactGOP silences ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat on House floor for day on ‘out of order’ rule; crowd erupts -Wealth Axis Pro
GOP silences ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat on House floor for day on ‘out of order’ rule; crowd erupts
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:34:47
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Monday voted to silence a Democratic member of the so-called Tennessee Three during an already tense House floor session after determining the young Black member violated newly enacted rules designed to punish disruptive members.
The move was directed at Rep. Justin Jones, which prohibited him from speaking and debating on bills for the remainder of the floor session. The vote prompted loud cries and chants that drowned out proceedings for several minutes even after the House speaker ordered the gallery to be cleared out.
Moments prior, Jones had been criticizing legislation that would have allowed more law enforcement officers in schools and began listing other resources that the state should be providing.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton had warned Jones not to stray off topic. Under new rules adopted by the GOP-dominant chamber last week, members can be silenced anywhere from a day to the rest of the year for not sticking to the bill being debated.
“What our schools need are mental health professionals,” Jones said. “We need funding for mental health, for counselors. We need to pay our teachers better. We don’t need more police in our schools.”
Sexton then ruled Jones out of order, setting up a vote on whether to quiet him for the rest of Monday’s session.
What happened next was a chaotic flurry of legislative proceedings, where Democrats outraged at the decision to move ahead with trying to silence Jones for the day began pleading with and trying to convince their GOP colleagues to change their minds. Republican lawmakers remained unconvinced, however, with 70 GOP members voting to silence Jones. Democratic members then angrily left the chamber with Jones.
The crowd, which included gun control advocates urging change in a special session after a deadly Nashville school shooting in March, shouted “fascists” and “racists,” and Sexton ordered troopers to clear out the gallery of the public.
Many in the crowd remained in the stands, and their cries of “vote them out” and “Whose house, our house” drowned out the legislative proceedings for several minutes, enough at one point that a Republican lawmaker said he couldn’t hear what he was supposed to be voting on.
Jones was among the two Tennessee lawmakers expelled earlier this year for his role in a pro-gun control protest inside the Tennessee Capitol.
The demonstration came just days after a shooter opened fire at a private Christian school in Nashville, killing three children and three adults. Jones joined Reps. Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson in approaching the front of the House floor without permission with a bullhorn, joining the chants and cries for action by protesters in the public gallery and outside of the chamber.
Pearson and Jones, who are both Black, were expelled, while Johnson, who is white, was spared by one vote. The two have since been reelected to their positions.
veryGood! (26348)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Trial of Sen. Bob Menendez takes a weeklong break after jurors get stuck in elevator
- Will America lose Red Lobster? Changing times bring sea change to menu, history, outlook
- Report says there was ‘utter chaos’ during search for Maine gunman, including intoxicated deputies
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Tennessee's only woman on death row featured in 'Mean Girl Murders.' Here's what to know.
- Maker of popular weedkiller amplifies fight against cancer-related lawsuits
- Brittany Cartwright Slams Ex Jax Taylor for Criticizing Her Drinking Habits
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Wendy's offers $3 breakfast combo as budget-conscious consumers recoil from high prices
Ranking
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Get Ready to Turn Heads: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Collection Makes Waves on Amazon
- Hunter Biden seeks delay in federal tax trial set to begin in Los Angeles next month
- Mississippi’s 2024 recreational red snapper season opens Friday
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US, a new study says
- Caitlin Clark announces endorsement deal with Wilson, maker of WNBA's official basketball
- Black bear found with all four paws cut off, stolen in northern California
Recommendation
What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
Wembanyama becomes 1st NBA rookie to make first-team All-Defense
The Real Story Behind Why Kim Kardashian Got Booed at Tom Brady's Roast
Will Smith Shares Son Trey's Honest Reaction to His Movies
Trump's 'stop
Pope Francis speaks about his health and whether he'd ever retire
UN maritime tribunal says countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution
Twins a bit nauseous after season of wild streaks hits new low: 'This is next-level stuff'