Tennessee House Speaker Suspends All Democrats From Committees After Protest
House Speaker Cameron Sexton suspended all 24 Tennessee House Democrats from committees after they protested congressional redistricting by locking arms on the chamber floor.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — House Speaker Cameron Sexton has suspended all 24 Tennessee House Democrats from standing committees and subcommittees following their protest during last week’s congressional redistricting vote.
The Crossville Republican sent a letter Tuesday to House Minority Leader Karen Camper notifying her that Democratic Caucus members will be removed from all committee assignments except where their membership is required by House rules. Individual members received letters directing them to contact Camper for information.
Protest Triggers Punishment
The suspension stems from an incident last week when House Democrats gathered at the front of the chamber and locked arms as Republicans voted to redraw the state’s congressional maps. The redistricting plan split the state’s only majority-Black, minority-Democrat congressional district around Memphis into three parts.
Sexton accused the Democrats of blocking aisles, instigating and encouraging disruption in coordination with paid protesters and people in the gallery, and distributing earplugs to members during the vote, according to his letter.
Familiar Names Among Suspended
The suspended Democrats include Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis, who is also a congressional candidate. Both lawmakers were previously expelled from the House in 2023 after participating in a gun control protest following The Covenant School shooting that killed six people, including three children. They were later reinstated following vocal Democratic pushback.
Rep. Karen Camper of Memphis, the House Democratic Leader, was among those who spoke out against the Republican redistricting plan alongside Sen. Charlane Oliver and Rep. London Lamar.
Senate Democrats Also Face Scrutiny
The punishment extends beyond the House chamber. Senate Speaker Randy McNally is considering possible action against six Senate Democrats who also locked arms in the well at the end of their session.
“Blatant violation of civility and decorum,” spokesperson Adam Kleinheider said of the Senate Democrats’ actions.
All House Democrats voted against the redistricting map that Republicans passed during the special session. The new congressional boundaries are designed to bolster GOP candidates in the upcoming midterm elections by dividing traditionally Democratic voting areas.
The committee suspensions mark the latest escalation in tensions between Republican leadership and Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee’s General Assembly. The move effectively removes Democrats from participation in legislative committee work where bills are typically debated and amended before reaching the floor.
