Four days after being expelled by Republicans from Tennessee’s House of Representatives, Justin Jones (D) was reinstated after a unanimous vote by the Nashville Metropolitan Council to reappoint him as an interim representative, CNN reported.
Jones and another Democrat, Justin Pearson, lost their seats in an a controversial legislative session after they called for gun reform during a protest on the chamber floor. This Monday Jones returned to the House floor as his supporters cheered.
“Today we are sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence. Today we send a clear message to Speaker Cameron Sexton that the people will not allow his crimes against democracy to happen without challenge,” Jones told supporters while standing on the steps of the Capitol.
As CNN points out, Tennessee state law allows local legislative bodies to appoint interim House members to fill the seats of expelled lawmakers until an election is held. “The 36-0 vote to return Jones to his seat followed a vote to suspend a procedural rule that prevents an individual from being nominated and appointed to the seat in the same meeting,” CNN’s report stated.
Read the full report over at CNN.
