Resolution To Potentially Nullify Federal Mandates Now On Lee’s Desk
Photo Credit: Gov Bill Lee / Facebook
The Center Square [By Jon Styf] –
Along with the seven bills that passed Tennessee’s Legislature during its recent COVID-19 related special session, a joint resolution also passed both chambers of the legislature and sits on Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.
While the bills become law if Lee signs them, “resolutions differ from bills in that they do not become law but simply serve to express the views of the majority of one or both houses of the Legislature.”
The resolution, SJR 9005, serves to say that Tennessee’s leadership has the right to “enact such legislation as it deems necessary to nullify actions taken by the federal government regarding COVID-19 when those actions violate the United States Constitution.”
By nullification, it refers to not following federal laws and instead following state guidance.
The resolution passed the House 64-17 with three representatives abstaining while it passed the Senate 24-6.
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In discussion of the resolution, sponsor John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, spoke about both COVID-19 vaccinations and South Carolina’s history of nullification. Ragan explained that the main purpose is to fight any federal mandates to force vaccines on citizens.
“A vaccine that does not reliably give all of its recipients’ immunity, does not prevent the spread of disease, is not something that should be forced on anyone,” Ragan said. “Nonetheless, the non-critically thinking automatons thoughtlessly accept whatever factually vacant, woke virtual signaling is fashionable among those who feel rather than think.”
State Rep. Sabi “Doc” Kumar, R-Springfield, said that he agreed that citizens should be able to choose for themselves but wanted to clarify facts about the vaccine.
“There is an impression being created that vaccines do not prevent COVID,” Kumar said. “While they don’t prevent it 100%, but they do prevent to the tune of 80% against symptomatic or asymptomatic infection and they prevent up to 90% of hospitalizations and up to 95 or 96% against death. They do have a preventive role, no doubt.”
While introducing the resolution, Ragan spoke of South Carolina’s attempt at nullification.
“We are here today creating history,” Ragan said. “The nullification theory was first broached in 1832 when Tennessee’s own Andrew Jackson was president. The state of South Carolina began it. Jackson threatened to invade with federal troops to settle the issue.
“However, the federal government ultimately backed down and the crisis was averted. That theory is still alive and well.”
Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, disputed Ragan’s take on South Carolina and did not vote on the measure when the vote was called.
“I want to make sure this is clear, the federal government did not back down. South Carolina quit,” Curcio said. “And, unfortunately, South Carolina never really recovered from that wound. They couldn’t get any other southern states to join them in nullification and ultimately rescinded their nullification ordinance on March 15, 1833, but they continued in their behavior until, unfortunately, Fort Sumter was fired on, creating a tragedy for this country. I just want to remind everybody of that, that emulating such behavior is very, very serious and I think we need to be careful about that.”
Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston, said that as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, he had to abstain from voting on the measure.
About the Author: Jon Styf, The Center Square Staff Reporter – Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies. Follow Jon on Twitter @JonStyf.
This need to be a LAW ; NOT A RESOLUTION !!!! Then Lee needs to sign it . No ifs , ands , or buts , about it. They never take definitive action, it’s always hog wash just to make us think they are doing their duty. If it was a law to make Federal Mandates illegal in Tennessee , you can bet that RINO Lee would never sign it.
I want to defend the Constitution of the United States and our freedoms to choose!
This needs to become law before it is too late for our health care workers and others who are being black mailed into this vaccine garbage with the threat of being fired.
Well my take is that we need a Tennessee Constitutional Amendment that really allows the State as a Sovereign State the right to Deflect any/all Federal Mandates not specifically stated in the US Constitution and agreed to by the State. Oh my bad I think we got that???
The Federal Government only has those rights which are authored them by the State.
None of this has been taught in schools since the creation of the NGO called the Department of Education.
Gov. Lee is so weak. Nullification should have come immediately. Any illegal mandate from the Fed should be met with a big loud NO! Let the chips fall where they may, but NO! Also Tennessee should be leading this fight not trying to wait around to see what others are going to do. The vaccine is not stopping covid and we will never rid ourselves of this virus by mandating a so-called vaccine. I know at least 40 people that were fully vaccinated that have contracted covid and most of them have spread it to family members and friends, and yes some of them were terribly sick, so I don’t want to hear that garbage. We the People have a right to make our own decisions, So Gov. Lee, get on with it, or get out so someone else can stand for Tennesseans!!!!!!!
State and federal politicians
please grow a pair and lead we need leaders not politicians ………
The vast majority of Tennesseans want Gov. Lee to PROTECT and DEFEND our rights!! We demand the state government protect us from the illegal and immoral federal over-reach!! Sign it!!
Mandates are not Laws.
Once upon a time it was written, that any Law that was deemed in conflict with the Constitution was also deemed Null & Void by said Constitution.
This also applies to Executive Orders.
Orders are not Laws.
Where does the Presidential Authority exist in the US Constitution?