Medical problems resulted in two area legislators missing the special legislative session in Nashville called to bring the state’s law on federal zero tolerance for DUI into compliance, reports Georgiana Vines.
State Rep. Harry Brooks, a Knox County Republican who represents the 19th District, said Friday his absence was due to having a heart stent procedure Tuesday at the former St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Rep. Dale Carr, a Republican representing Sevier County, said he had a gall bladder attack and finally had the organ removed Thursday.
Brooks said Friday he is recovering but the doctor has told him he has to “kind of cool it.”
…Brooks said if he had attended the sessions, he would have voted to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham, accused of sexual misconduct toward at least 22 women and under investigation by state and federal officials.
“It would have not been difficult to vote,” Brooks said.
Carr said he would have voted yes as well.
Both men said they approved rescinding the state law that was not in compliance with the federal law.
Carr said he had been having problems with his gall bladder most of the year.
“I would have loved to have been (there). I didn’t want to take any chances,” Carr said.