3 RINOs Kill Bills To Increase Penalties For Transporting Illegal Aliens To Tennessee
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & Martin Leveneur / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
House Bill 2078 (HB2078), sponsored by Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20), and Senate Bill 2802 (SB2082), sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), would have increased penalties for the transportation of illegal aliens into the state by amending a current statute and raising the fine from $1,000 to $5,000 per individual.
Earlier this month, the bill was introduced with an amendment allowing for certain exceptions and to “remove immunity for common carriers.” The Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement officials, and the Department of Corrections would all have been granted exceptions while acting in an official capacity.
Yesterday, during the Senate Judiciary Committee, SB2082 failed after a roll call vote was taken resulting in five members voting no and four voting yes. Three Republicans joined the two Democrats on the committee in killing the bill.
Before the vote, two amendments were added to the bill. The first from Hensley added a provision that the person charged with transporting an illegal alien into the state had to know that the individual they were aiding did not have legal status to be in the United States.
The second amendment came from Chair Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10) who said that he had been contacted by many constituents who desired to see a penalty “so draconian” that no-one would be tempted to assist in the transportation of illegal immigrants into the state. Gardenhire’s amendment would have made the act a Class A felony. According to Legal, this could mean fifteen to sixteen years in jail and up to $50 thousand in fines.
Gardenhire then addressed the committee saying that the bill would go behind the budget if it received enough votes due to its large fiscal note but that he hoped the bill would be voted down.
However, the only fiscal note tied to the bill expressly states that “any fiscal impact to state or local government is estimated to be not significant.” Further, the fiscal note states that “proceeds from such fines go to the arresting agency or agencies” and that, “since a violation is punishable by a fine only, there will be no fiscal impact related to additional incarceration.”
Gardenhire then voted no along with Senators Sara Kyle (D-Memphis-District 30), London Lamar (D-Memphis-District 33), Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol-District 4), and Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield-District 23).
Senators voting for the bill were Paul Rose (R-Covington-District 32), John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-District 24), Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31), and Vice-chair Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro-District 13).
During the House Criminal Justice Committee later in the day, there was some confusion over a new amendment which led to Richey asking for the bill to be rolled one week.
The Tennessee General Assembly’s website later marked the bill as having been taken off notice.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Do those who voted against the bill have a primary opponent? If they don’t have primary opponents then voters in their district must be happy with them 🤷♀️
https://sos.tn.gov/elections/candidate-listshttps://sos.tn.gov/elections/candidate-lists
Indeed Julie, have you noticed: Chuck Fleischmann (Heritage-74%) and Todd Gardenhire (TLRC-67/B-). Two tepid conservatives, both from Chattanooga. I’m afraid Republicans around Chattanooga are in sore need of some conservative evangelism.
Sounds weird when a chairman of a committee proposes an amendment to a bill then turns around and votes against that very bill.
They need to be primaried.
It may be time to launch write in candidates even if they didn’t have primary opponents to date. We need to band together and get as many of these so-called Republicans in name only out of the Capitol and back behind a counter in their districts serving fast food or something else, where they can’t inflict any further damage to Tennessean rights.
Amen!!!!
Here’s where the Tennessee Conservative News can be of invaluable service to Tennessee conservatives. Right now we are getting a ring side seat to the proceedings in the General Assembly thanks to the TCN. I pray that after the General Assembly adjourns and we make our way through the primary season the TCN gives us the same continuing coverage of the various primary campaigns with a special emphasis on conservative vs. centrist/tepid conservative races so conservatives know which races to especially financially and physically support.
Does anyone know why they voted against it? I’m disappointed the article doesn’t mention a reason. Maybe they have good reasons we don’t know about.
Other than the fact that tepid conservative establishment types like Gardenhire pride themselves on being the political arm of the Chamber of Commerce and the members of the Chamber just love a ready supply of cheap labor – beats me.
They don’t communicate with us, I figger they’re bought and paid for by Soros’ minions.
Tennesseeans are not in control of Tennessee government. Notice Gardenhire’s apologetic language at introducing an amendment his constituents want (i.e., doing his job), knowing that Tyson Foods and Catholic Charities call the illegal alien shots and dare not be challenged.
Try to contact each Senate Judiciary committee member. List available in previous article.
I’ve personally contacted Kerry Roberts. Follow the Bill SB2804.
You may be right! What is wrong with the Republicans in Tennessee. Thank goodness non of the Rino governed by district.
We know where these RINO Pukes stand with Illegals and the Democrats, Vote and get RID of the Traitors.
# 1 – Gardenshire sounds like a sneaky Lib. It sounds like he intentionally added an extreme amendment so the bill wouldn’t pass. Sounds like that was his objective. He needs to be targeted for defeat.
# 2 – I’ve done some research about Chattanooga and the problem seems to be that few people vote – only 10% to 15%. Maybe they need a bunch of illegals roaming the streets and overcrowding their schools to wake them up.
# 3 – Brandon and TCN > Please recommend an opponent for Gardenshire and let us know how to donate.
Let’s dump the illegals — and that is what they are — in the backyard if those 3 RINOs who voted against the bill. I agree: what is wrong with the Tennessee Republicans!!!
Primary them !!!!’
Figures