Biden invitations expelled Tennessee lawmakers to White House

President Biden thanked the three Democratic state lawmakers who confronted expulsion votes by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in Tennessee for his or her management in pushing for a ban on assault weapons.

Mr. Biden prolonged White House invites to Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who have been each voted out of the chamber, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, who narrowly prevented expulsion, after collaborating in a gun-control protest within the chamber. No date for the White House go to has been introduced.

The Friday convention name provides to the administration’s loud rebuke of the Republican transfer to oust the lawmakers.

The three lawmakers led a protest on the state House ground final week with out being acknowledged and used a bullhorn to assist demonstrators who flooded the Capitol demanding lawmakers move extra gun management measures after three youngsters and three adults have been killed within the Covenant School capturing.

All three lawmakers, who refused dispersal orders by the sergeant at arms, have been faraway from their committee assignments following the demonstration.

Republicans then sought to oust the lawmakers below Article II, Section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution, which authorizes the House to punish members for “disorderly behavior.” The statute additionally permits the expulsion of a member if two-thirds of all lawmakers vote to take action.

Republicans management the Tennessee House by an amazing majority, with 75 members in comparison with the Democrats’ 23, with one emptiness. The expulsion threshold is 66 votes.

Mr. Biden condemned the expulsions on Thursday, calling the vote “shocking, undemocratic and without precedent.”

The president additionally reiterated his name for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in addition to different gun management measures.

“We’ve continued to see Republican officials across America double down on dangerous bills that make our schools, places of worship, and communities less safe. Our kids continue to pay the price,” Mr. Biden mentioned, including that the measures will “save lives.”

Vice President Kamala Harris visited the lawmakers in particular person Friday in a stopover to fulfill with younger folks and advocates who’re demanding motion to deal with gun violence within the wake of the Covenant School capturing.

“While in Tennessee, the vice president will make clear what happened in Nashville, continue to call on Congress to renew the assault weapons ban and ensure that in Tennessee and across the nation, the voices of our young people are heard,” a White House official mentioned.