NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee House has recently implemented stricter rules to address unacceptable behavior during legislative sessions, warning both lawmakers and spectators of potential removal from the chamber if their conduct is deemed inappropriate.
Under the newly adopted regulations, lawmakers who violate decorum may face temporary removal from the floor for several days and be compelled to cast their votes remotely. In contrast, members of the public could face bans lasting up to two years for engaging in particularly disruptive or unruly behavior. These policy changes were part of a rules package that was approved on Thursday.
Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton emphasized the need for maintaining decorum, stating, “You’re on the House floor, and you’re expected to have decorum and respect for the institution. The same applies to the gallery.”
This initiative reflects a growing trend across various U.S. states where lawmakers are responding to disruptive behavior among their peers. A notable incident occurred recently in Georgia, where a right-wing Republican state senator was arrested following a physical altercation while trying to enter the House chamber for the governor’s state of the state address.
Several other state legislatures have also experienced disturbances from raucous crowds, prompting stricter access rules. In Rhode Island, for instance, the public was barred from entering the rotunda for hours during the governor’s address, where protests regarding homelessness were occurring concurrently.
Since 2023, Tennessee House Republicans have been revising their rules in response to previous disruptions caused by political adversaries. This was catalyzed by the removal of two Democratic lawmakers who protested for gun control following a tragic school shooting—a move that attracted national attention and significantly raised the profiles of those representatives. Nevertheless, the Republican supermajority remained intact after the November elections.
Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson criticized the new rules, labeling them as “the most ridiculous, fascist rules.” She expressed strong opposition to the decision to send members to “time out” for being deemed out of order, particularly when sensitive topics like racism are mentioned.
House Republicans defend the changes by pointing out that the U.S. Congress enforces strict decorum rules for spectators in the gallery. Notably, the Tennessee House has historically been more prone to intense disputes among its members compared to the Senate, which has yet to adopt similar measures targeting disruptions.
There have been instances where public outcry has stalled legislative progress, prompting state troopers to clear the audience due to noise during heated discussions. To mitigate such incidents, Republicans have previously banned signs and disruptive elements from the Capitol, although a legal challenge halted that specific rule in the past.
Last year, a ticketing system was introduced for the public gallery, with House members permitted to distribute tickets to attendees. This change aimed to manage attendance more effectively and ensure orderly conduct during sessions.
The newly instated penalties for remote voting are seen as a direct response to conduct exhibited by Rep. Justin Jones, who has been repeatedly ruled out of order by Republican leadership for various comments during sessions. Jones has alleged that there is a lack of consequences for similar infractions committed by Republican members.
The latest rules package also stipulates that any gallery visitor whose actions disrupt the proceedings or attempt to communicate with lawmakers will be removed. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, individuals could face short-term removals or longer bans, extending up to two years. Furthermore, legislators can be evicted from the House floor and mandated to vote remotely after multiple rule violations.
