Protesters flooded the state Capitol as the legislators were set to take up three resolutions filed by GOP lawmakers Monday seeking to expel Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis, a step the state House has taken only twice since the 1860s.
The House has expelled only two lawmakers in the last 157 years: In 1980, after a representative was found guilty of accepting a bribe while in office, and in 2016, when another was expelled over allegations of sexual harassment. "We cannot allow the actions of the three members to distract us from protecting our children. We will get through this together, and it will require talking about all solutions," Sexton said.
Paul Slentz, a retired United Methodist pastor, knows two of the lawmakers personally, he said, adding it was wrong for them to face a vote for their expulsion. The code allows for the appointment of interim members of the House until the seats of the expelled are filled by an election.