Biden thanks ‘Tennessee three’ for ‘standing up’

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and JOSH BOAK
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday welcomed to the Oval Office the three Tennessee lawmakers who faced expulsion for participating in gun control protests at their statehouse. “You’re standing up for our kids, you’re standing up for our communities,” said Biden, who was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris. The episode has turned the lawmakers, known as the “Tennessee three,” into Democratic heroes. Harris already visited Nashville earlier this month to show her support for them. The Republicans who control the Tennessee legislature called for expelling the three lawmakers because they disrupted House proceedings during the protest. Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones were expelled, but Rep. Gloria Johnson was not. They’ve since been reinstated on an interim basis.