Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
On December 13th, the Tennessee Right to Life Political Action Committee revoked their endorsement of Senator Richard Briggs due to public comments he made about the Human Life Protection Act. In response, the Tennessee Medical Association has released a statement reiterating their support for Briggs and his decision to speak out against the current Tennessee abortion law.
Briggs (R-District 7- Knox County), who was reelected to office in the midterms, said that he would like to see the law altered to offer “clear exceptions” for cases of rape, incest, severe fetal anomalies and cases where the mother’s life or health are at risk.
This is contrary to his stance that landed him the endorsement of the Tennessee Right to Life.
Former State Representative and Tennessee Right to Life PAC President Roger Kane said, “Senator Briggs pledged to us in writing that he would protect unborn children by protecting the Human Life Protection Act from hostile amendments. Despite making similar pledges to our legislative liaison after the Dobbs decision was issued, Senator Briggs now claims that he does not support the HLPA because he never believed it would be enacted because he never believed Roe v. Wade would be overturned. The candidate endorsement process only works if those answering the questions are honest and forthright. Obviously, Senator Briggs was not honest in his answers and can no longer be trusted by the voters.”
In a recent interview with ProPublica, Briggs stated that he also takes issue with the provision of the law that requires a doctor to mount an “affirmative defense” explaining why an abortion was performed to save the life of the mother.
Briggs said, “The defendant is guilty until he can prove that he’s not guilty. In my opinion, that is a very bad position to put doctors in – why should this doctor have to pay his own legal bills for saving a woman’s life?”
The statement released by the Tennessee Medical Association, penned by TMA Chair Edward Capparelli, says that Briggs’ position reflects the “unintended consequences” of the law.
However, Briggs had the opportunity to not support Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act before it was made law on May 15th, 2019.
But, according to ProPublica, when Briggs voted ‘Yes’ on the abortion ban, he never thought it would actually go into effect with his vote being more of a political statement.
The law was proposed by the Tennessee Right to Life in 2019 and was triggered when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Briggs confesses that he barely read the two-page bill when it was forwarded to his office.
Briggs stated that he followed the lead of his colleagues, who reportedly assured lawmakers the bill included medical exceptions. Briggs even added his name as a co-sponsor.
In addition, when a Senate Democrat proposed alterations to the bill to allow abortion in cases of rape or incest, Briggs didn’t counter the ‘Nay’ vote.
The statement by the TMA bemoans the fact that Briggs’ reversal of his stance on the issue has subjected him to “political retribution and attempts to disparage his character.”
Read the full statement by the Tennessee Medical Association below:
“The Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) reiterates its support for Tennessee state Sen. Richard Briggs, MD, a longstanding leader and member within our organization, for his recent comments on behalf of physicians, women, and families in the state.
Like many elected officials, Sen. Briggs has aligned his position with that of his constituents, Tennesseans who recognize the unintended consequences of the state’s recently enacted abortion ‘trigger’ law and want it amended.
As written, the law contains no legal exceptions—not even for the life and health of the mother. Sen. Briggs has reasonably indicated he would like to see the law offer clear exceptions when the mother’s life or health are at risk, for non-survivable fetal anomalies, and rape and incest.
The affirmative defense in place for physicians caring for affected patients is merely a legal maneuver that undermines the legislative intent of the law. It places doctors in the unconscionable position of having to choose between saving a patient’s life or committing a felony.
Regrettably, this stance has subjected Sen. Briggs to political retribution and attempts to disparage his character.
Sen. Briggs’ background is one of service. Previously a Knox County commissioner, he has represented Tennesseans in the legislature since 2014 and the Knoxville community as a respected heart and lung surgeon for over 40 years.
He has also heroically served our country. A retired Army colonel with a more than 30-year military career, he served the United States as a combat trauma surgeon during Operation Desert Storm and was awarded the Bronze Star. In recent years, he completed combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as a senior war trauma surgeon caring for wounded American troops.
Given Sen. Briggs’ experiences, his real-world perspective and leadership role in this conversation is unique. His counsel around this complex issue should be valued and sought after rather than dismissed. TMA invites other members of the Tennessee General Assembly to disregard similar efforts from outside groups and protect families by joining Sen. Briggs and a majority of Tennesseans in making needed changes to this law.”
Lee Berkenstock, MD, Memphis
Chair, Board of Trustees, Tennessee Medical Association
Edward Capparelli, MD, Oneida
President, Tennessee Medical Association
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
5 Responses
I can agree, in part, with Sen. Briggs. My concern is that with severe legal penalty’s for sidestepping those exceptions, abortion in our state will become another free for all. There’s far to much money to be made for a quick and relatively safe procedure. I don’t think that the doctor is perceived to be guilty of a crime if he provides supporting evidence that the abortion is, indeed, the correct decision. In my mind, birth control is not, in any way, a legitimate reason for an abortion.
“There’s far ‘too’ much money to be made for a quick and relatively safe procedure”.
Safe for whom? That “procedure” is murdering a human being! And you are right about the money. It’s always about the money.
These politicians need to be held accountable for the promise/statements they make that gets them elected.
If they promise/state something they need to honor that after they are elected.
Sen. Briggs has failed the test more than once.
He’s NOT RE-ELECTABLE.
These politicians need to be held accountable for the promise/statements they make that gets them elected.
If they promise/state something they need to honor that after they are elected.
Sen. Briggs has failed the test more than once.
He’s NOT RE-ELECTABLE.
His exception’s are less than 1% according to Planned parenthood! It’s all about the MONEY to deliver a HUMAN life or to MURDER one??