Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement on Tennessee Legislature’s Expulsion of Black Lawmakers Protesting Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement on the Tennessee State Legislature’s vote to expel two Black Democratic legislators.

“What happened last night in the Republican-led Tennessee Legislature was a blow to our democracy, expelling Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson who exercised their First Amendment rights and failing to crack down on the gun violence epidemic. The families of those who lost loved ones in the Covenant School shooting deserve real legislative solutions — not bigotry and petty politics.  

As elected officials, it is our solemn responsibility to keep our communities safe from gun violence. But extremist Republicans have other priorities, protecting the NRA instead of our children. They continue to look the other way as our schools, movie theaters, and houses of worship become firing ranges.

I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass common-sense gun control measures before it is too late, and our children pay the price. Enough is enough.”