In a move that has sparked controversy and outrage among Democrats, Republican leaders in the Tennessee statehouse have implemented new rules and restrictions aimed at limiting the voice and access of Democratic members. The measures include strict rules of decorum, limited presentation times, and a ticketing requirement for the general public to view legislative sessions.

Last year, the Tennessee House made headlines when two young Black Democratic representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, led a protest demanding stronger gun safety legislation following a tragic school shooting in Nashville. Expelled from the House for a supposed breach of decorum, Jones and Pearson were later reinstated by their local governments and went on to win special elections.

Now, as the legislative session opens, GOP leaders have once again come under fire for their heavy-handed tactics. In a move seen as an attempt to silence Democratic voices, new rules have been approved by the House Rules Committee. These rules maintain strict decorum, enforce shorter time limits on debates, and prohibit visual aids, props, or signs in the chambers or committee rooms.

Furthermore, Democratic representative Justin Jones proposed a rule to ban lawmakers from carrying guns in committee rooms, citing safety concerns. However, the proposal was voted down by the committee. Jones expressed his worry about individuals with guns present during committee meetings, particularly citing the presence of Proud Boys members during a special session.

The rules also limit presentation times on House bills to just five minutes, despite attempts by Democrats to extend these limits. Members who are deemed out of order by the House Speaker can be temporarily silenced for up to two legislative days. During the debate on the new rules, Jones accused House Speaker Cameron Sexton of being "drunk with power," which resulted in his own silencing.

The new rules sparked division, with Republicans claiming they would expand debate while Democrats argued they would limit it. Nevertheless, the House voted 70-19 in favor of adopting the stricter rules, which give lawmakers two strikes before they are banned from speaking for two legislative days.

In addition to the stricter rules, GOP leaders have also implemented new restrictions on public access to the legislative sessions. A last-minute ticketing requirement was introduced, catching members of the public off guard. State troopers and House Sergeants at Arms turned away spectators from the House gallery, citing the new policy, which requires tickets issued by lawmakers.

The implementation of these rules and restrictions has raised concerns about transparency, free speech, and the ability of Democratic representatives to effectively represent their constituents. Democratic representative Gloria Johnson, who narrowly survived expulsion, is now favored to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate against incumbent GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

Critics argue that these measures not only hinder the democratic process but also limit public participation and scrutiny of Tennessee's legislative proceedings. The GOP's actions have once again put the statehouse in the national spotlight, further fueling the ongoing debate over the role of political decorum and partisan power dynamics in state legislatures.