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After being sworn back into the Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday, the lawmaker, who was expelled just days ago for gun control demonstrations on the floor, said he would continue to push for gun control reform.
Democratic Rep. Justin Jones stood on the steps of the Capitol after being reinstated Monday, saying, “The first thing I do when I walk into this building as a member of Congress is that call for common sense gun legislation. is to continue
Jones and another black Democrat, Justin Pearson, were expelled from the Republican-controlled Congress after protests on the floor sparked a shooting at a Christian school in Nashville last month that killed six people. Kicked out.
A third Democrat who joined them in protest, Rep. Gloria Johnson, escaped expulsion.
The Nashville City Council on Monday voted 36-0 to reappoint Jones to the House of Representatives, appointing him again to the 52nd District’s House, but this time on a provisional basis. State law allows local legislatures to appoint interim representatives to fill the seats of expelled representatives until elections are held.
“Today we are sending an overwhelming message that democracy cannot be killed in the peace of silence,” Jones told a cheering crowd after marching into the Capitol on Monday. rice field.
Jones, who is technically a new member, said he was able to introduce 15 bills and plans to work on gun control legislation as soon as he returns on Tuesday.
“All of these bills have to do with it because these young people are asking us to do it,” Jones told CNN Monday night.
Tennessee House Republicans released a statement on Monday, saying, “The Tennessee Constitution provides a way back from banishment. If expelled members are re-elected, we welcome them.” Like people, they are expected to abide by House rules and state law.”
Meanwhile, the 86th district seat still vacant for Pearson will be addressed at the Shelby County Commission meeting in Memphis on Wednesday, Commissioner Mikel Rowley said. ”
“Whether you questioned the South, who questioned the power of Tennesseans to advocate an end to gun violence, who questioned the movement to end offensive weapons, who questioned the movement, your answer is: The movement is still alive,” Pearson said, standing alongside Jones on the steps of the Capitol on Monday.
Pearson told CNN’s Jon Berman that while Monday celebrated Jones’ return to work, it was also the tragic day of the Louisville, Kentucky shooting.
The Louisville shooting shows “the serious reality we face that we are not doing enough to prevent gun violence,” Pearson added.
“Our legislators and people like[House Speaker]Cameron Sexton and Republicans in Tennessee and Republicans in the South of this country have done enough to keep guns out of the hands of the people. It is also a painful moment to realize that you are not of It’s a holistic approach to gun prevention that’s needed in places across our community,” Pearson told CNN.
With over 12 months until the next general election in November 2024, a special election will be held to fill the seat, according to the Tennessee Constitution.
No date has been set for the special election, but state law requires the governor to schedule one within 55 to 60 days.
Both Jones and Pearson appear eligible to run again in the special election. In the meantime, “the legislative body of the county of residence of the member replaced at the time of election may elect an interim successor,” states the state constitution.
House Speaker Sexton indicated earlier Monday that if local governments choose to return Jones and Pearson to the House, they will be out of the way for appointments.
“The two governing bodies will make decisions about who they want to appoint to these seats,” a spokesman for the chairman’s office told CNN on Monday. I will sit down as your representative.”
On Monday, Jones called for Sexton’s resignation.
“He is an enemy of democracy and no longer deserves to be in the House Speaker’s office,” Jones told CNN.
CNN reached out to Sexton for comment.
Republicans held an intra-party vote last week to oust Jones and Pearson, accusing them of “deliberately” causing “chaos and dishonor in the House of Representatives” by not admitting their statements.
The state constitution provides that members may be expelled for disorderly conduct by a two-thirds majority vote, but they cannot be expelled “for the same offense a second time.”
Lawyers for the exiled representatives, including former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, wrote to Sexton on Monday, saying their dismissal was “unconstitutional.”
“Their partisan expulsion was abnormal, illegal and had no historical or legal precedent,” the attorney said.
Holder and attorney Scott J. Crosby, who are representing Jones and Pearson respectively, urged the House to “do not aggravate the wrong by taking further retaliatory action.”
“Partisan retaliatory actions, such as the discriminatory treatment of elected officials, or threats or actions to withhold funding for government programs, would constitute further unconstitutional actions requiring redress,” the letter said. says.
The Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement Monday after Jones was reinstated to the seat.
“This is fitting for Nashville residents, but not because the Republican majority did the right thing, but because Jones voters in Nashville joined their supporters from all over us, and Rep. Jones voted for him. The nation peacefully expresses its concern about the prevalence of gun violence in our communities and the continued attacks by Republicans on our democracy. I did,” the statement read.
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