Formerly expelled Tennessee House lawmaker says he’s been stripped of committee assignment

One of the formerly expelled Tennessee state lawmakers said Thursday that he’s been stripped of a committee assignment.

“Today the Speaker announced that I was stripped from being on House Education Admin Committee, as they prepare to push their unpopular school voucher program,” state Rep. Justin Jones (D) posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“My Republican colleagues know voters do not want their ‘Education for Profit’ scheme and are trying to stifle dissent,” he continued.

Jones was one of two Tennessee House members who were expelled last April over a gun control protest. He and the other member, Rep. Justin Pearson (D), both won back their seats later in the year.

Pearson and Jones, along with Rep. Gloria Johnson (D), interrupted proceedings for a gun control protest.

After being expelled, the lawmakers’ protest garnered wider attention, and President Biden brought them to the White House.

“You’re standing up for our kids, you’re standing up for our communities,” Biden said during the visit. “Nothing is guaranteed about our democracy — every generation has to fight for it.”

The White House announced plans to create the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention last year with an aim of finding more ways Biden can counter gun violence, alongside implementing existing actions.

“The president wants us to continue to dig deep and find additional actions we can take,” a senior administration official told reporters.