# Tennessee to Expel 3 Democrats (update: all back in office) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 4, 2023, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128 "2023-04-04T12:06:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/101 "2023-04-11T00:36:13Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Those shitheads must be wondering if it was worth it to shine the international light on their racist behavior for a weekend of expulsion. I’m wondering if any of them are going to notice the Jesus metaphor that’s just sitting there. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/102 "2023-04-11T00:37:04Z")
Came back on Monday. Day late. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/103 "2023-04-11T00:37:45Z")
Is he back into the chamber? Or will the doorkeeper be ordered to lock him out? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/104 "2023-04-11T00:39:30Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > They are singing this little light of mine. Damn. Did they actually sing “Don’t let Satan [blow] it out” ? ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/105 "2023-04-11T00:45:55Z")
His information is back up on the TN gov site while Pearson’s hasn’t been yet. So I think that he’ll be good. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/106 "2023-04-11T02:08:22Z")
When’s the next expulsion vote? You just know they’re not going to take this lying down. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/107 "2023-04-11T02:12:58Z")
IIRC, per the Tennessee constitution, they cannot expel a member for the same thing a second time. They’d need to manufacture a whole new excuse if they want to expel them again. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/108 "2023-04-11T02:14:08Z")
You know they’re going to try to find some excuse to do so. Because young, black and charismatic is the antithesis of what the TN legislature is about. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/109 "2023-04-11T02:46:24Z")
That’s weird. So if a member was expelled for sexual harassment, and he got back in, he’d have a clear path to harass again? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/110 "2023-04-11T02:50:08Z")
If they did so again, that would be a different thing. They just wouldn’t be able to expel you for the same _offense_ again. The same as how the double jeopardy rule doesn’t mean that if you are acquitted of murder you now are given immunity from prosecution for future murders. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/111 "2023-04-11T02:53:27Z")
Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/112 "2023-04-11T03:01:36Z")
I don’t think the Tennessee republicans will try this again (at least not with these guys and this issue). While it might have been red meat for their base I think it is obvious, even to them, that this didn’t help them. They already have their base and this likely didn’t win them many converts. I’d bet this hurt them more than it helped. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/113 "2023-04-11T03:33:54Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Now we wait and see if the Republicans pull funding for Nashville, as they threatened. While this is a different issue (below) it seems related to republicans in Tennessee doing their best to diminish the political power of Nashville. > **Judges temporarily halt implementation of law reducing Nashville’s council** > > The process of shrinking Nashville’s council is on pause — for now. > > A panel of three Tennessee judges on Monday granted an injunction that temporarily halts the implementation of a [new state law](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/09/tennessee-general-assembly-passes-bill-to-slash-nashville-council/69986567007/) limiting city and metropolitan councils to 20 members or fewer. > > Metro Nashville [sought the injunction](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2023/04/04/judges-consider-halting-new-law-that-would-shrink-nashville-council/70078504007/) as part of a [lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2023/03/13/nashville-sues-state-over-new-council-slashing-law/69990074007/) to prevent “irreparable harm” to local elections scheduled for Aug. 3. > > The decision relieves some pressure on Metro Nashville, which the law put under a [tight timeline to reapportion and draw new districts](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2023/03/24/nashville-metro-council-see-the-maps-of-two-options-for-a-20-member-council/70043006007/) in compliance with the Council Reduction Act. Nashville’s 40-member council is the only city or metro council in Tennessee that has more than 20 members, meaning it’s the only local government immediately impacted by the statute. > > With the injunction in place, Metro Nashville can move forward with its Aug. 3 election with 40 council seats on the ballot. - [SOURCE](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2023/04/10/judges-temporarily-halt-law-reducing-nashvilles-council/70082750007/) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/114 "2023-04-11T04:26:30Z")
Maybe they’ll just be honest next time about the reason to expel: > [@TruePisces](#): > > young, black and charismatic ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/115 "2023-04-11T05:44:45Z")
[Rep. Pearson’s airport duets with legendary singer-activist Joan Baez](https://www.stereogum.com/2219807/joan-baez-sang-two-songs-at-the-newark-airport-with-rep-justin-jones-of-the-tennessee-three/news/) “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Round” and “We Shall Overcome”, apparently. 🥰 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/116 "2023-04-11T08:47:47Z")
Genuine question-40 people? Is that a common size for a city council? ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/117 "2023-04-11T10:52:09Z")
Most of the city councils in Tennessee are, at most, 20. Nashville is a lot larger with a very diverse population, growing larger every day. Even neighborhoods next to one another have different needs that having separate councilors allow them to fight for their constituents. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/118 "2023-04-11T10:54:47Z")
Huh. I just looked up another large city as an example and Philly only has 17. Interesting. I wonder if more is better, and what determines how many would be the right (most useful) amount for each city. But that’s off-track, so I will perhaps open a new thread about it. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/119 "2023-04-11T13:13:25Z")
couldn’t tell, they kept dipping in during the news cast. msnbc had a gentleman on the scene and they kept going to him on and off. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128/120 "2023-04-11T15:39:55Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > IIRC, per the Tennessee constitution, they cannot expel a member for the same thing a second time. They’d need to manufacture a whole new excuse if they want to expel them again. Or they could just wipe their ass with the constitution. “They can’t do that!” Well sure. But what if they did? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-to-expel-3-democrats-update-all-back-in-office/982128.md?page=7)