What's next for the Tennessee House lawmakers who were expelled

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State Rep. Justin Jones raises his fist after being reinstated to his seat on April 10 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Seth Herald/Getty Images

An effort is underway to restore two Black Democratic lawmakers who were expelled from the Tennessee legislature in a GOP-led vote last week.

Why it matters: The expulsions over a gun reform protest have attracted national attention โ€” from the White House to civil rights groups โ€” as the country continues to grapple with an unending stream of mass shootings.

Catch up quick: Reps. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) were expelled by the GOP-led Tennessee House last week.

  • An effort to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), who is white and participated in the protest alongside them, failed by one vote, fueling allegations of racism.
  • Republicans argued the so-called "Tennessee Three" had violated House rules and engaged in disorderly behavior by participating in the protest for stricter gun laws.
  • The demonstration took place in the wake of the Nashville school shooting that left six people dead โ€” including three children.
What happens next

Jones and Pearson's expulsions will trigger special elections to select permanent replacements, but a date has not yet been set.

  • The expelled lawmakers are eligible to run in the special election and, if successful, cannot be expelled again for the same reason.
  • For now, local authorities in each district can choose who will represent them at the statehouse temporarily.
Who fills the seats in the meantime

Nashville's Metro Council held a special meeting on Monday to select an interim replacement and voted unanimously to return Jones to his seat.

  • "I want to welcome the people back to the people's house," Jones said Monday upon his return to the House floor. "I want to welcome democracy back to the people's house."

Meanwhile, the Shelby County Commission will meet on Wednesday to consider reappointing Pearson to his seat in the interim.

  • Both Jones and Pearson are expected to run the subsequent special elections.
  • Both seats are in heavily Democrat-voting areas.

Worth noting: Doug Kufner, a spokesperson for Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton, confirmed Monday that whoever is selected as interim representatives by the county governing bodies will be "seated as representatives as the constitution requires," the Tennessean reported.

  • Tennessee House Republicans said in a statement last week that if Jones and Pearson returned to the House they hoped they would "act as the thousands who have come before them โ€” with respect for our institution, their fellow colleagues and the seat they hold."

Go deeper: How Tennessee GOP expelling 2 Democrats could have ripple effect in other states

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