On Thursday, April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives debated whether to expel three members. Members Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson disrupted the House chamber on Thursday, March 30,2023. After careful consideration of all three resolutions, I voted to expel Justin Jones and Justin Pearson.

All three violated House rules and each of their individual conduct was unacceptable. It was obvious in the video recording and during discussion that Gloria Johnson did not participate to the extent that Jones and Pearson did. Either Jones or Pearson smuggled a bullhorn into the Chamber. The two used that bullhorn to shout and scream and incite the crowd to chant “no action, no peace”. The video showed Johnson did not appear to do anything other than stand near the Well and move her lips. While Johnson needs to be censored for her unacceptable conduct that day, the evidence presented did not warrant her expulsion.

Had all three participated the same, I would have voted to expel all three.

That whole week we all were upset over the Covenant School shooting. As a state we must look at better ways to prevent such killings. However, the way those three went about addressing the murders was not an effective approach to prevent future murders. All three were elected legislators that can file bills and pass laws to address any concerns they have. Instead, they chose to make that day about themselves instead of working with other legislators to be effective in their intent.

Lowell Russell
State Representative
2 1 s Legislative District