Lifelong conservative moms Melissa Alexander, Mary Joyce, and Sarah Shoop Neumann return to face a GOP-dominated legislature in Tennessee. They broaden objectives beyond gun control to protest bills on abortion, education, police violence, and LGBTQ rights. The women contemplate unseating a lawmaker, challenge pro-gun Republicans, and navigate political landscapes. Personal struggles, transformative journeys, and advocacy at the state Capitol add depth to their story.
The Covenant Moms expanded their objectives beyond gun control to address bills concerning abortion, education, police violence, and LGBTQ rights.
The podcast highlighted Tennessee's declining democracy, focusing on gerrymandering, voting accessibility, and legislative responsiveness to constituent wishes.
Deep dives
Introduction to Supermajority and the Political Climate
The episode introduces the Supermajority podcast and delves into the political scenario post a shooting incident at the Covenant School. Republican lawmakers introduce resolutions to expel three Democrats due to chaos following gun control protests. Differences emerge between the House and Senate's responses, paralleling the state's political transformations under conservative influence.
Danube Institute's Political Influence and Hungary's Democratic Decline
The podcast highlights Istevan Kiss's visit to discuss Hungary's politics amidst Senator Crow's Senate session recognition. The Danube Institute's link to Hungary's far-right leader, Viktor Orban, raises concerns about the country's shift towards authoritarianism and the erosion of democracy. Political maneuvers involving speeches at CPAC underscore Hungary's ties with conservative think tanks and the implications for democratic norms.
Tennessee's Democratic Backslide and Legislative Changes
The discussion shifts to Tennessee's declining democracy, focusing on indicators like gerrymandering, voting accessibility, and legislative responsiveness to constituents' wishes. Academic insights reveal Tennessee's descent to the lowest democracy ranking by 2018, pointing to alarming trends in state governance disregarding electoral integrity and public representation.
Activism and Political Realizations at the State House
Covenant Moms' activism for gun control and their realization of Tennessee's political landscape unfolds as they engage with lawmakers on various issues beyond gun violence. The narrative explores their evolution from limited legislative impact to discovering legislative bills affecting broader societal concerns. The episode concludes with personal reflections on challenging political beliefs and navigating partisan shifts within the state's governance system.
It's been four months since the Covenant moms – lifelong conservatives Melissa Alexander, Mary Joyce and Sarah Shoop Neumann – pleaded with their lawmakers to pass gun control measures during a special session at the Tennessee statehouse. Now they're back – for months, not days – and this time, they feel prepared to face the GOP-dominated legislature. But when the 2024 legislative session begins, the mothers realize that the Republican majority's new bills may be more complicated than they anticipated. The women discover a long line of dissenters flocking to the statehouse, to protest bills about abortion, education, police violence and LGBTQ rights. Will the women stand alongside these other constituents and broaden their objectives beyond gun control? And what happens when they begin to imagine unseating one of their lawmakers? To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.