NEW: Four days after House Republicans expelled Democratic lawmaker Justin Jones for participating in a gun control protest, Nashville's Metro Council voted unanimously to send him back to his old seat.
Jones and two of his colleagues, Reps. Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson, marched to the House podium on March 30 to lead chants calling for gun reforms following thethat killed six people, including three 9-year-olds. The demonstration briefly sidelined the House agenda.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton and other Republican leaders condemned their actions, saying they had violated House rules and decorum. The trio, also known as the Tennessee Three, lost their committee assignments, and their access to legislative facilities was limited. Republicans pushed for the severe and rare move of expelling the lawmakers. Jones and Pearson were ousted on April 6, while Johnson avoided expulsion by one vote.The Shelby County Commission is meeting Wednesday to consider reappointing Pearson to his seat representing part of Memphis.
Sexton's spokesperson tells Axios the people appointed by the local boards "will be seated as representatives as the constitution requires." The local appointments are temporary. Special elections to select permanent replacements will take place later — Jones and Pearson are expected to run.
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