Tennessee Legislature Strips All Democrats of Committee Assignments After Redistricting Protests

Republican leaders of the Tennessee Legislature on May 12 responded to last week’s fiery protests against the state’s new congressional map last week by stripping committee assignments from all Democratic members. House Speaker Cameron Sexton notified Democratic Leader Karen Camper in a letter that members of her party would be removed from all standing committees and subcommittees of the House of Representatives, except where membership is required. Sexton said the actions taken to disrupt the democratic and legislative processes and create disorder included interlocking arms in the House, blocking aisles on the House Floor, instigating and encouraging disruption with paid protesters and attendees, distributing earplugs, and using props and noisemakers....