Con Con  |  HJR0005

HRJ5 applies to the Congress of the United States pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution to call a convention for proposing amendments to set a limit on the number of terms to which a person may be elected as a Member of the United States House of Representatives and to set a limit on the number of terms to which a person may be elected as a Member of the United States Senate.

The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed HJR5 on March 23, 2023 by a vote of 66 to 27. We have assigned pluses to the nays because a so-called “Convention of the States” would not be of “limited” purpose. The vague and contradictory text contained in this joint resolution dangerously permits what Article V of the U.S. Constitution describes as a “Convention for proposing Amendments” or second constitutional convention. Notably, Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials. HJR5 should be opposed in favor of less risky, more precise, and immediate solutions that would restore power back to the states and to the people, such as clear-cut proposals in Congress to repeal bad amendments or state nullification of specific unauthorized federal laws.

Precious Metals  |  HB1479

HB1479 allows the state treasurer to purchase and sell physical gold and precious metal.

The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed HB1479 on March 6, 2023 by a vote of 98 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill is a necessary step toward restoring sound money and enforcing the U.S. Constitution’s monetary provisions. According to Article 1, Section 10, of the Constitution, “No State shall…make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts.” The States can and must act now to protect Americans’ financial freedom and privacy by both ending the Federal Reserve’s unconstitutional monopoly on money and thwarting government plans to impose a Central Bank Digital Currency.

Abortion  |  SB0600

SB600 prohibits local governments from expending funds for the purposes of assisting a person in obtaining a criminal abortion.

The Tennessee State House or Representatives passed SB600 on March 30, 2023 by a vote of 65 to 23. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because states should continue to act to ban abortion and guarantee the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Taxpayer dollars at any level of government should not be used to kill babies.

Student Vaccine Status  |  HB0252

HB252 eliminates the obligation for parents or teachers of homeschooled students to provide proof of immunizations and health services to the local education agency.

The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed HB252 on March 2, 2023 by a vote of 68 to 25. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because an individual’s personal healthcare decisions should not be the object of government, nor be under its federal, state, or local jurisdictions in the United States. Additionally, no level of government should be interfering with any aspect of homeschool or private-school education.

FedExForum  |  HB1085

HB1085 extends the allocation of state sales tax revenue to Memphis, specifically for the Memphis Grizzlies and events at the FedExForum, until June 30, 2059. During this period, revenue from admissions, sales of food and drink, and other authorized products at the FedExForum will be exclusively directed to Memphis and its sports authority.

The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed HB1085 on April 21, 2023 by a vote of 78 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the nays because privately-owned billion-dollar organizations, such as the Memphis Grizzlies, should be expected to pay for their own facilities, which they can more than afford. Forcing people to furnish proliferate amounts of taxpayer money when attending games or concerts to fund crony, corporate-sponsored projects violates their individual liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

UN Agenda 2030 and Property Rights  |  SB1147

SB1147 prohibits this state and its political subdivisions from adopting or implementing policy recommendations that deliberately or inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process.

The Tennessee State House of Representatives passed SB1147 on April 21, 2023 by a vote of 66 to 22. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because eminent domain or other infringements on an individual’s property violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The Fifth Amendment explicitly states, “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Furthermore, the Fourteenth Amendment declares, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Sex Changes for Minors  |  SB0001

SB1 prohibits healthcare providers from performing certain medical procedures on minors or administering specific treatments if the purpose is to help the minor identify with or live as an identity that is claimed but inconsistent with the minor’s biological or assigned sex at birth.

The Tennessee State Senate passed SB1 on February 13, 2023 by a vote of 26 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the Left has been promoting radical Marxist ideas like this for years. The indoctrination that leads people to believe that they can choose their pronouns and identify as a different gender is immoral. Scientifically and biblically, there are only two genders. Additionally, minors are not yet capable of giving informed consent and should not have the ability to choose a gender that contradicts their scientific classification, causing irreversible damage.

Precious Metals  |  HB1479

HB1479 allows the state treasurer to purchase and sell physical gold and precious metal.

The Tennessee State Senate passed HB1479 on March 13, 2023 by a vote of 33 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill is a necessary step toward restoring sound money and enforcing the U.S. Constitution’s monetary provisions. According to Article 1, Section 10, of the Constitution, “No State shall…make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts.” The States can and must act now to protect Americans’ financial freedom and privacy by both ending the Federal Reserve’s unconstitutional monopoly on money and thwarting government plans to impose a Central Bank Digital Currency.

Education Savings Accounts  |  SB0638

SB638 broadens the eligibility for education savings accounts (ESAs) to include students who were not enrolled in a Tennessee public school for the full year before receiving an ESA but were enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school.

The Tennessee State Senate passed SB638 on February 27, 2023 by a vote of 27 to 5. We have assigned pluses to the nays because, while the idea of allowing money to any school of the students and parents choice may initially sound appealing, it raises concerns. This policy essentially directs government funds toward supporting private schools, inevitably attaching certain conditions and implications to this financial support. Private schools should not accept government money.

Abortion  |  SB0600

SB600 prohibits local governments from expending funds for the purposes of assisting a person in obtaining a criminal abortion.

The Tennessee State Senate passed SB600 on March 13, 2023 by a vote of 27 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because states should continue to act to ban abortion and guarantee the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Taxpayer dollars at any level of government should not be used to kill babies.

Juneteenth  |  SB0269

SB269 changes the designation of June 19, known as “Juneteenth,” from a day of special observance to a legal holiday.

The Wisconsin State Senate passed SB269 on March 23, 2023 by a vote of 24 to 4. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the United States observes 10 federal holidays, and the state of Tennessee already observes 11. Designating Juneteenth, which at the national level was voted as “National Independence Day” instead of July 4, falsely implies differing independence days based on race. This aligns with divisive strategies, akin to communist tactics of “dividing the people.”

UN Agenda 2030 and Property Rights  |  SB1147

SB1147 prohibits the state and its subdivisions from enacting policies that violate private property rights without due process, particularly those linked to “Agenda 21,” the 2030 Agenda, U.N. net-zero emission goals by 2050, or any international law conflicting with the U.S. or state constitution.

The Tennessee State Senate passed SB1147 on April 17, 2023 by a vote of 25 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because eminent domain or other infringements on an individual’s property violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The Fifth Amendment explicitly states, “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Furthermore, the Fourteenth Amendment declares, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Budget  |  SB2897

SB2897 is the Appropriations Act of Tennessee. As passed by the General Assembly, it allocates approximately $52.8 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023.

The Senate passed SB2897 on April 21, 2022, by a vote of 18 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the noes because Tennessee’s record spending plan for FY2022-23, as passed by the General Assembly, relies heavily on federal funds, initially estimated at $19.8 billion or nearly 38% of the entire state budget. Much of this is allocated to unconstitutional programs, such as TennCare. The budget is also impacted by roughly $1.5. billion in public subsidies for a new Tennessee Titans stadium. States should oppose the use of federal taxpayer money for purposes not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.

Nullifying Federal COVID-19 Restrictions  |  SJR9005

SJR9005 declares the right of the Tennessee General Assembly to nullify federal COVID-19 restrictions that violate the United States Constitution. It also urges the Attorney General and Reporter of the State of Tennessee to take appropriate legal action on behalf of the state’s citizens.   

The Senate passed SJR9005 on October 29, 2021, by a vote of 22 to 5. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because whenever the federal government assumes unconstitutional powers, nullification of such acts by the several states is the proper remedy. The American people retain a natural right to nullification, which should be used to restore the powers reserved to the states under the U.S. Constitution. Nullification is protected by the Bill of Rights, especially the 9^th and 10^th Amendments.

Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates  |  SB0858

SB0858 prohibits state or local governments from requiring, or mandating that a private business require, proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for entry or utilization of services. It also removes the authority of county boards of health in relation to the adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations, and limits the ordering of quarantines under state law.

The Senate passed SB0858 on May 4, 2021, by a vote of 25 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because compelling American citizens to receive medical treatment violates their fundamental rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, oversight of local emergency powers is a proper function of the state and county legislative bodies of government. Under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution, each state is guaranteed a republican form of government, which requires a limitation and separation of powers.

Prenatal Right to Life  |  SB1370

SB1370 permits a cause of action for wrongful death against someone who kills a mother and her unborn child regardless of gestational age. It also prohibits wrongful birth or wrongful life lawsuits on behalf of any person based on a claim that a child would have not or should not have been born or would or should have been aborted.

The Senate passed SB1370 on April 29, 2021, by a vote of 25 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because states should act to ban abortion and guarantee the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Parental Rights in Education  |  SB1229

SB1229 requires an LEA or public charter school to notify a student’s parent or guardian prior to commencing instruction of a “sexual orientation or gender identity” curriculum. It also permits a parent or guardian to excuse their child from such instruction.     

The Senate passed SB1229 on April 5, 2021, by a vote of 24 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because a child’s education is the responsibility of–and a fundamental right of choice retained by–the parents, not the government. Parental rights, as with all other constitutional rights, are protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Permitless Firearm Carry  |  SB0765

SB0765 allows permitless carry of a handgun if a person meets age requirements, lawfully possesses the handgun, and is in a place that the person is lawfully present.

The Senate passed SB0765 on March 18, 2021, by a vote of 23 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed, as guaranteed by the 2^nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Budget  |  SB2897

SB2897 is the Appropriations Act of Tennessee. As passed by the General Assembly, it allocates approximately $52.8 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023.

The House passed SB2897 on April 21, 2022, by a vote of 93 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the noes because Tennessee’s record spending plan for FY2022-23, as passed by the General Assembly, relies heavily on federal funds, initially estimated at $19.8 billion or nearly 38% of the entire state budget. Much of this is allocated to unconstitutional programs, such as TennCare. The budget is also impacted by roughly $1.5. billion in public subsidies for a new Tennessee Titans stadium. States should oppose the use of federal taxpayer money for purposes not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.

Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates  |  SB0858

SB0858 prohibits state or local governments from requiring, or mandating that a private business require, proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for entry or utilization of services. It also removes the authority of county boards of health in relation to the adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations, and limits the ordering of quarantines under state law.

The House passed SB0858 on May 3, 2021, by a vote of 68 to 22. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because compelling American citizens to receive medical treatment violates their fundamental rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, oversight of local emergency powers is a proper function of the state and county legislative bodies of government. Under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution, each state is guaranteed a republican form of government, which requires a limitation and separation of power

Prenatal Right to Life  |  SB1370

SB1370 permits a cause of action for wrongful death against someone who kills a mother and her unborn child regardless of gestational age. It also prohibits wrongful birth or wrongful life lawsuits on behalf of any person based on a claim that a child would have not or should not have been born or would or should have been aborted.

The House passed SB1370 on April 29, 2021, by a vote of 69 to 20. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because states should act to ban abortion and guarantee the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Parental Rights in Education  |  SB1229

SB1229 requires an LEA or public charter school to notify a student’s parent or guardian prior to commencing instruction of a “sexual orientation or gender identity” curriculum. It also permits a parent or guardian to excuse their child from such instruction.

The House passed SB1229 on April 14, 2021, by a vote of 64 to 23. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because a child’s education is the responsibility of–and a fundamental right of choice retained by–the parents, not the government. Parental rights, as with all other constitutional rights, are protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Article V Convention: Term Limits  |  HJR0008

HJR0008 applies to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the U.S. Constitution, to call for a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishing term limits for members of Congress.

The House passed HJR0008 on April 8, 2021, by a vote of 53 to 34. We have assigned pluses to the noes because term limits conflict with the right of the American people to choose their representatives. Moreover, states should act immediately to nullify all unconstitutional federal laws and repeal the 16^th and 17^th Amendments, rather than risk an Article V or second constitutional convention. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the failure of elected officials to uphold their oath of office.

Permitless Firearm Carry  |  SB0765

SB0765 allows permitless carry of a handgun if a person meets age requirements, lawfully possesses the handgun, and is in a place that the person is lawfully present.

The House passed SB0765 on March 29, 2021, by a vote of 64 to 29. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed, as guaranteed by the 2^nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.