Growing Numbers Of Concerned TN Senators & GOP Leaders Call For Special Session As McNally Stonewalls

Photo Credit: capitol.tn.gov

Spearheaded by Senator Janice Bowling from Tullahoma, more Tennessee Senators have started adding their names to a growing list of legislators requesting a Special Session of the General Assembly to be called to address mandates, executive orders, and dangerous edicts coming from the Federal Government.

However, in a statement made by the office of the Lieutenant Governor, it is indicated that McNally’s stance has not changed.

On September 7^th, 2021 Deputy Speaker Janice Bowling sent a letter to her Republican colleagues in the Senate asking them to sign on in support of the Special Session.

View the full letter HERE.

At the time of publication, Republican Senators Mark Pody (Lebanon), Joey Hensley (Hohenwald) and Frank Niceley (Strawberry Plains) signed Bowling’s letter.

Mike Bell (Riceville), Kerry Roberts (Springfield), Dawn White (Murfreesboro), and Rusty Crowe (Johnson City) have shown their support by penning their own letters.

“I support a special session to address mask and vaccine mandates,” Senator Jack Johnson told the Tennessee Conservative.

100% of all GOP House members voiced their support in August when a Special Session was called by Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Curiously, Speaker Randy McNally and Governor Bill Lee and some Tennessee Senators are not responding as readily to the cry for Tennessee freedoms to be protected.

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Senator Janice Bowling said, “I fully support the General Assembly calling a Special Session. The unprecedented overreach of government into parental authority, the violations of personal medical decisions regarding an experimental prophylaxis medical intervention, the unconstitutional discrimination against citizens over said experimental medical choice in the foundational issues of employment or access to services , products, venues available to other citizens , and the availability to citizens of all  medical choices recommended by doctors and desired by citizens are topics which I think need to be addressed. In my opinion, Tennessee needs to join the states which are already protecting their citizens from the intense harm currently being experienced by Tennesseans.”

Senator Joey Hensley said, “Due to the amount of calls and emails, I believe a special session is necessary.  There are several issues that need to be addressed with the legislation regarding mask mandates, vaccine mandates, schools and removing the Governor’s executive powers.”

Senator Rusty Crowe said, “I feel certain that this Federal overreach will all be fought out in the courts but feel it necessary that the Legislature be called back into session such that we might take any action as required to protect the constitutional rights of the people we all represent. I have always championed less government intervention, personal responsibility, faith, family, and parental authority.”

Senator Dawn White expressed that she supports a Special Session as well in a letter she penned to Lt. Gov Randy McNally.

“As you are aware, our state and nation are in the midst of unprecedented times. Our citizens are facing new challenges daily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are looking to their elected officials for action.

In particular, I have received requests from a large number of Rutherford County residents expressing their concerns regarding the unconstitutional and inappropriate mandates announced last week by the federal government. Many have also expressed concerns regarding decisions made by local authorities in our state which, for example, have kept students out of school for lengthy periods of time or limited parents’ control over their children’s education and healthcare decisions. I share these concerns and believe that it is time that we take action as a state. 

I firmly believe that it is up to the states to take a strong stand to aggressively push back against federal overreach. While the General Assembly has previously taken decisive action to prohibit government entities within our state from implementing vaccine passports, last week’s actions by President Biden clearly demonstrate a lack of regard for personal liberty and longstanding constitutional principles. 

I also believe that the General Assembly should be directly involved in policies impacting our public schools during this critical time. 

I am hereby requesting that the legislature be called back into special session so that we can promptly address these and a number of other issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Read White’s full letter HERE.

Senator Mike Bell also sent a letter to McNally.

“Our state and nation are in very troubling times. The recent unconstitutional mandates coming out of Washington have caused great concern from citizens across the 9th Senatorial District and they are looking to their elected officials to take action to oppose this inappropriate federal overreach. 

I share their concerns regarding the abuse of power which threatens the personal liberties of the people of Tennessee. 

While our General Assembly took action this year to ban vaccine passports in Tennessee, many citizens in Bradley, McMinn, Monroe, Polk and Meigs Counties are new federal mandate will override their personal decision whether or not to receive the shot. They are concerned about having to choose between workplace-mandated vaccinations and providing for their families. This is not to mention the privacy concerns regarding their personal health decisions. 

This type of tyranny bluntly contradicts the U.S. Constitutional principle of federalism and must not go unchecked. While this is a battle that will take place in the courts, I am requesting that the legislature be called back into a special session so we can to take all steps possible to protect Tennesseans’ constitutional rights from an overreaching federal government. I also believe the legislature should be involved with policies that impact our public schools to ensure parents have a voice in their child’s education during this critical time.”

Read Bell’s full letter HERE.

Senator Kerry Roberts also sent a letter to McNally in support of the Special Session.

In the letter, Roberts lays out six topics he suggests to be considered during a special session:

1.  Prohibiting mask mandates in public buildings, schools, and universities
2.  Recognizing acquired immunity or immunity from monoclonal antibodies as satisfying vaccine mandates
3.  Prohibiting Bridgestone Arena and other venues receiving government funding from implementing vaccine requirements, mask mandates, or segregating attendees according to vaccination status
4.  Placing the county health departments of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan counties under the direct oversight of the General Assembly
5.  Challenging federal overreach exercised by President Joe Biden related to vaccine mandates
6.  Requiring Executive Orders issued during a State of Emergency lasting over 90 days to be reviewed by the Joint Committee for Government Operations for a positive or negative recommendation

Read Robert’s full letter HERE.

Meanwhile, Conservative Tennessee citizens continue to plead for their Constitutional Rights to be protected.

Shelby Beccue said, “We should NEVER have to ask to have our Constitutional rights protected. I suppose it’s that ‘control’ thing again.”

Sharon Robinson said, “I’d say it’s about time Republicans grew a spine and actually stood up for their constituents!”

“Take a stand for American citizens and protect Tennessee,” Sharon Hutchens said.

If you are in support of a specially-called legislative Session, contact the Senators below and help persuade them to support the will of their constituents.

• Paul Bailey – (615) 741-3978 – sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov

• Richard Briggs – (615) 741-1766 – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov

• Todd Gardenhire – (615) 741-6682 – sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

• Ferrell Haile – (615) 741-1999 – sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov

• Ed Jackson – (615) 741-1810 – sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov

• Brian Kelsey – (615) 741-3036 – sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

• Jon Lundberg – (615) 741-5761 – sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov

• Becky Duncan Massey – (615) 741-1648 – sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov

• Lt. Gov Randy McNally – (615) 741-6806 – lt.gov.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov

• Bill Powers – (615) 741-2374 – sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov

• Shane Reeves – (615) 741-1066 – sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov

• Paul Rose – (615) 741-1967 – sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov

• Steve Southerland – (615) 741-3851 – sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov

• John Stevens – (615) 741-4576 – sen.jon.stevens@capitol.tn.gov

• Art Swann – (615) 741-0981 – sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov

• Page Walley – (615) 741-2368 – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov

• Bo Watson – (615) 741-3227 – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov

• Ken Yager – (615) 741-1449 – sen.key.yager@capitol.tn.gov

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 Directory 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