Overview
- House Speaker Cameron Sexton ordered Democratic caucus members off all standing committees, citing disorderly conduct during the special session on redistricting.
- Sexton’s letter accused Democrats of linking arms in the well, blocking aisles, using prohibited props and noisemakers, and coordinating with protesters in the gallery.
- Democratic leaders condemned the action as retaliation and racially targeted, with some noting it removes every Black elected official from committee work.
- The committee purge follows Republicans’ repeal of a mid‑decade redistricting ban and approval of a new congressional map that splits Memphis, likely boosting GOP seats.
- More than 35 Texas House Democrats signed a letter of support for Tennessee Democrats, as coverage split along ideological lines between discipline-for-disruption and abuse-of-power frames.