In the News

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) joined Morning Joe on MSNBC to discuss the expulsion of two Black members from the Tennessee Legislature who protested gun violence in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, in which three 9-year-old students and three adults were murdered. 

During the interview, Chairman Horsford called for the following actions to be taken in the wake of the expulsions of State Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson:

1. That Nashville and Shelby Counties appoint Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson back to their seats as soon as possible, and as early as Monday in Nashville County, so that residents in their districts aren’t without representation in the Tennessee Legislature as special elections are conducted.

2. That U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland make a determination under Section VI of the Civil Rights Act on whether the Tennessee Legislature is in compliance with federal law concerning non-discrimination since they are a recipient of billions of dollars in federal funds.

3. That corporate CEOs and boards of directors in the state of Tennessee publicly condemn the actions of the Tennessee House GOP for violating fundamental principles of our democracy.

4. That every action be taken by the Tennessee Legislature to hear from impacted students and constituents who petitioned their State Legislature, peacefully, to address the scourge of gun violence in our schools and communities.

Watch segment on Morning Joe HERE: 

See Also: Congressional Black Caucus Issues Statement on GOP-Led Tennessee Legislature Expelling Black Democratic Members Protesting Gun Violence (April 7, 2023)