That isn't the point. The point is that the punishment is disproportionate to the offence.
Secondly, they expelled the two black reps and not the white rep who was with them committing the same offence.
Hypocrisy and racism is the point. Censure would have been appropriate, but not expulsion, and now Jones has been reinstated by the city council. His reelection is reassured and he know has become famous, emboldening his voice in the chambers and the Republicans have been exposed as racists.
Historically speaking, expulsion was reserved for more hideous crimes.
A legislative supermajority can do what it likes.
www.politico.com
The Tennessee House last expelled a member in 2016, when Jeremy Durham was ousted for rampant sexual misconduct. Thirty-six years earlier, Robert Fisher was booted for soliciting a bribe.
Do you see how that works?
Cheers,
Rumpole