Lindsay Watts ABC News - April 7, 2023 - KRDO’s Afternoon News

Two Democratic lawmakers have been ousted from the Republican-controlled Tennessee state House of Representatives and one was allowed to stay in what marks the first partisan expulsion in the state's modern history.  The three lawmakers -- State Reps. Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson, who were expelled, and Rep. Gloria Johnson who avoided expulsion by a razor thin margin -- faced separate hearings Thursday for allegedly violating the chamber's “rules of decorum” by participating in a gun control protest at the state Capitol last week. Following the adoption of the expulsion resolution, Jones said his ouster set a "precedent that any member who voices dissent or opposition can be expelled from the legislative body."  "Today is a very dangerous day for America," he said after the vote.  Rep. Gloria Johnson addressed state House saying: "I fought for my constituents…I did it for the kids in my district, for the kids in the state, for the kids in this community.