Republican Senators Take Issue With Tennesseans Rights To Religious Exemptions Enshrined In State Constitution
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill aimed at codifying the constitutional rights of Tennesseans to decline vaccines for religious reasons in the private sector failed in the Senate Commerce and Labor Subcommittee yesterday.
Senate Bill 1109 (SB1109), sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), would have prohibited employers from firing or in any way discriminating against employees who submitted a religious exemption in lieu of complying with requests to get a vaccine.
The proposed law would also have allowed for a private right of action for injunctive relief and to recover compensatory damages and reasonable attorney’s fees against an employer who took adverse action against an employee who turned in a religious exemption.
Amendments to the bill would have exempted healthcare companies and also those employed by the federal government, the latter being protected by the U.S. Constitution, said Bowling.
Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro-District 14), a Pharmacist by trade, called the bill “an overreach due to Covid” and objected to employers being unable to take action against employees who submitted religious exemptions when asked to comply with a vaccine mandate.
Reeves gave Bowling a rhetorical situation where employers might mandate an influenza vaccine during an especially bad outbreak. In her answer, Bowling asked Reeves “as a Pharmacist” about the rates of efficacy concerning influenza vaccines.
“I don’t know if I’m prepared to answer that on the fly,” replied Reeves, as he implied that business owners and customers should take priority over that of individuals working for said businesses.
“There’s been a lot of discussion over the past three years about this very thing,” said Bowling.
Chairman Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta-District 15) who supported members of the Tennessee National Guard who sought religious exemptions from Covid vaccinations nevertheless expressed concern over requiring businesses to accept religious exemptions.
Bowling said, “What my bill does is codify Article 1, section 3 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience and that no human authority can in any case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience.”
While admitting that there is a balance to be struck between the rights of employers and employees, she said, “We have to err on the side of the religious liberty of the individual.”
Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11), a Physical Therapist, asked Bowling if she could tell him the name of a vaccination that is required in the workplace.
“I don’t know yet,” replied Bowling. “But there were vaccinations that were being required,” she said, making reference to Covid mandates.
Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-District 8) was the only member of the subcommittee present who spoke in favor of the bill and said that “this is a decision that needs to be made by the individual.”
During a roll call vote, Republican Senators Johnson, Reeves, Swann, and Yager voted no along with Democrat Raumesh Akbari. Senators Bailey and Nicely voted Aye. Senators Southerland and Watson declined to vote.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
I THINK IT’S TIME WE HAD SOME “NEW BLOOD” IN THE TENNESSEE GOVERNMENT.
Maybe that will happen the next election, this session seems to have more public attentions than any previous.
Sad how few are paying attention.
That’s what they bank on.
I am shocked TN lawmakers would deny religious exemptions. The vaccine that was just mandated proved to be untested, unapproved. and lethal to many people. I wound urge the committee members to reconsider their votes. A person’s religious belief’s should not be infringed.
None of the vaccines currently on the market are effective as they say nor safe. Employers should have no right to force you to take a medical product. Everyone needs to read “Turtles All the Way Down” vaccine science and myths. We’ve been sold a big fat lie! Need to clean house!!
Yes you are absolutely correct!!
My email to lucifer’s pharma’s Reeves;
You, sir, are NOT a Republican.
“Vaccine” mandates are CRIMINAL force.
You serve lucifer’s pharma REALLY well.
I pray you’re not re-elected.
I fear too many so called Republicans are following the Democrats liberal thinking. Where are the Conservatives anymore? As freedom loving Americans, we have the right, or should have, to refuse to inject anything into our bodies that we consider unsafe, as the Covid-19 vaccine has proven not to be all that it was claimed to be and has harmed many.
I will be spreading the word, vote out Senator Yager next election. All of us political refugees that moved to TN for freedom need to vote accordingly!
Greed and ignorance! Just follow the money and true science!!!
Voted for Reeves once.
NEVER EVER AGAIN
He & McNally pushed for and succeeded in getting passed the tenn verify bill excluding small companies w.5 or less employees. Where do u think illegals get a foot hold.
Tom owns small bus. Tom hires his illegal brother in law. Then an illegal cousin and so it goes.
I will vote for any republican against reeves.
Re:Religious exemption.
Religion should not be used for medical exclusions.
Deciding not use any informed medical procedure is a
Human Right.
Personally I refused both useless face mask and so called vaccine