House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, speaks during a news conference at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, June 30, 2016, about a health coverage task force's proposals for Medicaid expansion in Tennessee. From right behind her are Republican Reps. Steve McManus of Memphis and Roger Kane of Knoxville. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) NASHVILLE - Next week's special legislative session to fix a state DUI law foulup could also feature an attempt to expel embattled state Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin.
House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said in a statement that while the special session call by Gov. Bill Haslam is limited to one subject, the expulsion motion is procedural.
"Expulsion motions are procedural in nature, so it is permitted regardless of the call," Harwell said in a statement. "There will be a motion and a vote on expulsion, and I welcome the opportunity to vote for it."
Durham has been under fire for months and resisted calls to resign after an investigation by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery found 22 women who said the 32-year-old Durham either approached them inappropriately or sexually harassed them.
The lawmaker, who has refused to resign, suspended his reelection campaign and lost his GOP primary election on Aug. 4. But some lawmakers want Durham expelled, noting that if he is allowed to complete his second two-year term on Nov. 8, he will be eligible for lifetime state employee pension benefits when he becomes of age.
Republican majority leaders last month were unable to get enough signatures for a special session on a special session on Durham. But Haslam's call on Friday for a special session on the unrelated DUI bill has given critics an opening.