NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lawmakers reconvened in Nashville on Monday to kick off a special session meant to be focused on public safety. During the session, the House of Representatives considered changing its rules about member conduct.
Those rule changes would allow the Speaker to set the guidelines for decorum in the House. It also says members that cause a "material disruption of official legislative business" could be punished by the House.
It passed on Monday, 73-23.
On the first offense, members may not be recognized in debate or during remarks on the House floor for three consecutive legislative days, starting when the first offense happens. The second time, they may not be recognized for six consecutive legislative days.
On the third time, House members may not be recognized in debate or remarks during the remainder of the legislative session.
The proposal said members could still vote on any measure before the House. It also says lawmakers could take additional measures to discipline others, including censure or expulsion, regardless of the number of prior offenses.
The Speaker, currently Rep. Cameron Sexton (R - Crossville), would have the authority to set the guidelines for decorum.
"This is not democracy. That's not who we are supposed to be. That's the abuse of power that got the country founded in the first place," said Rep. Justin Pearson (D - Memphis).
The proposal follows The Tennessee Three's support of demonstrators pushing for gun restrictions inside the state legislature. Soon after a deadly shooting at The Covenant School, those demonstrators gathered at the Capitol calling for lawmakers to enact policies such as "red flag" gun laws.
During the protests, three lawmakers approached "The Well" towards the center of the House floor with signs. One carried a megaphone and used it to join the demonstrators' calls.
Those three lawmakers were Rep. Gloria Johnson (D - Knoxville), Rep. Justin Jones (D - Nashville) and Rep. Justin Pearson (D - Memphis). Jones and Pearson were removed from the House, while Johnson avoided expulsion.
Jones and Pearson later reclaimed their seats, being voted back in after they were kicked out. All three attracted national attention and spoke with President Joe Biden following the controversy.
A list of the upcoming committee meetings and lawmakers' planned sessions for the Tennessee House and Senate is available online. A live stream for the House is also available online.
"We know it's directed at the Tennessee Three," said Rep. Sam McKenzie (D - Knoxville). "They are drunk with power."
Republican lawmakers said the rules were meant to maintain debate.
"The purpose of these rules is to make sure everybody's voice is heard," said William Lamberth (R - Portland). "You can't just shout anything you like or say anything. It has to be on the subject we're debating. Otherwise, it would just devolve into chaos."
As the first day of the special session wrapped up, Rep. Johnson tried to remind lawmakers of the people behind the debate. Fifteen years ago as of Monday, she was a teacher at Central High School during a school shooting. Ryan McDonald, 15, died.
"We have to do something. We have to do it for Ryan, for everybody since. And everybody in the future. And I'm begging you all to open your hearts," she said.
The Senate adjourned less than an hour after they went into session on Monday, passing all the bills that were filed on first reading. They will need to pass them again on a second reading on Tuesday before they go to a committee. The full Senate would then need to pass them again before they go to Governor Bill Lee's desk.