President Biden on Thursday condemned Tennessee's Republican-controlled House of Representatives for expelling two Democratic lawmakers after they participated in a gun-control protest in the chamber.
“Today’s expulsion of lawmakers who engaged in peaceful protests is shocking, undemocratic and without precedent,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “Rather than debating the merits of this issue, these Republican lawmakers have chosen to punish, silence and expel duly-elected representatives of the people of Tennessee.”
“We’ve continued to see Republican officials across America double down on dangerous bills that make our schools, places of worship, and communities less safe. Our kids continue to pay the price,” Mr. Biden said, adding that the measures will “save lives.” All three lawmakers, who also refused dispersal orders by the sergeant at arms, were removed from their committee assignments following the demonstration.
In the first vote, Republicans expelled Rep. Justin Jones and then voted to remove Rep. Justin Pearson. Another vote to oust Rep. Gloria Johnson failed, keeping her in office. The two expelled lawmakers are Black, while Ms. Johnson is White.
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