Tennessee House EXPELS Democrat Caucus from committees over disruptions during redistricting session

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton informed House Minority Leader Karen Camper on Tuesday that members of her caucus would be removed from their committees following disruptions that took place as lawmakers were in session discussing a redistricting effort. 

"Due to actions taken by members of the Democratic Caucus during the Second Extraordinary Session of the 114th General Assembly aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative processes and creating disorder on the House floor, … members of the Democratic Caucus will receive individual letters removing them from all standing committees and subcommittees of the House, except where membership is required pursuant to Rule 65 of the House Rules."

The actions taken by members of the caucus cited in the letter included "Interlocking arms in the well of the House; Blocking aisles on the House Floor; Instigating and encouraging disruptions of the legislative process in coordination with paid protestors and attendees in the gallery, including the distribution of earplugs to a member of your caucus; The use of prohibited props and noisemakers on the House Floor; Demonstrating a lack of respect toward fellow members seeking recognition to speak on legislation; and flagrant disregard for the Permanent Rules of Order of the House."

Among those stripped from committees was State Rep Justin Pearson, who was captured on video yelling at a State Trooper to "Move the f*ck back boy" as authorities attempted to take his brother into custody. Pearson wrote, "Speaker of the TN House Cameron Sexton just removed me and every Democrat — and therefore every Black elected official in the state legislature from any committee we served on. This move strips nearly 2 million Tennesseans from the representation they deserve in TN state leg."

As the Senate passed the state’s redistricting map, chaos ensued, with a person pulling a fire alarm and people shouting. The map ultimately passed both chambers in the state, with the map likely resulting in the state becoming fully Republican in terms of US House representatives.