Tennessee Democrats removed from House committees following special session disruptions
WZTV • • nation
Key Points:
- Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed Democratic lawmakers from all House standing committees and subcommittees following disruptive actions during a recent special session on congressional redistricting.
- Sexton's letter to House Democratic Leader Karen Camper cited incidents such as lawmakers interlocking arms, blocking aisles, encouraging disruptions with protesters, using prohibited props and noisemakers, and distributing earplugs during demonstrations.
- Individual letters informed affected Democrats of their removal, with Camper remaining only on the Government Operations Committee as required by House rules.
- The disciplinary actions come after a contentious special session marked by protests and disruptions related to the approval of new congressional district maps.
- Sexton has constitutional authority over committee assignments, and the removals will remain in effect until he decides otherwise.