Tennessee House GOP moves to expel 3 Democrats over 'disorderly' gun reform protest

The Tennessee House descended into chaos Monday evening as the Republican-dominated chamber voted 72 to 23, along party lines, to approve expedited expulsion proceedings for three Democratic lawmakers who had broken House rules to call for gun reform last week, after the murder of six people at Nashville's Covenant School. The final vote on whether to expel Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson will be held Thursday.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) — who had called Thursday's floor protest an "insurrection" — ordered state troopers to clear the galleries of visitors and the media after Monday's vote, as protesters began chanting. Scuffles broke out on the House floor.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.