Three Republicans In Senate Committee Vote Against Bill Banning Pride Flags In Tennessee Public School Classrooms (Update 2.29.24)

Three Republicans In Senate Committee Vote Against Bill Banning Pride Flags In Tennessee Public School Classrooms (Update 2.29.24)

Three Republicans In Senate Committee Vote Against Bill Banning Pride Flags In Tennessee Public School Classrooms (Update 2.29.24)

***Update 2.29.24 – According to our source, Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10), who voted ‘No’ on SB1722 in committee, said in a Pachyderm Club meeting that this was because the bill is loaded down with amendments for many exemptions. He stated that he wants a clean bill and plans to introduce an amendment to clean it up and then he states he will vote ‘Yes’ on it.

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Three Republicans on the Senate Education Committee voted against a bill yesterday that would ban certain flags, including Pride flags, from being displayed in public school classrooms.

Senate Bill 1722 (SB1722) sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) narrowly passed a roll call vote with five voting for the proposed legislation and four against. 

Along with the lone Democrat on the committee (Raumesh Akbari) , Republican Senators Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10), Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol-District 4) and Bill Powers (R-Clarksville-District 22) voted against the bill which aims to give clear guidance as to which flags are appropriate for flying in Tennessee public schools and public charter schools.

Before the vote was taken, the bill sponsor said that parents in his district had brought the bill to him after witnessing Pride flags being displayed by teachers. 

“Children need to come to school, and read and write, and do math, and let’s leave the ideological flags on either side at home,” said Hensley.

He disagreed with comments made by Attorney Phil Cramer, on behalf of the ACLU, who said that the fiscal impact of the bill would be far greater than lawmakers anticipated due to potential lawsuits that are sure to be brought if the bill becomes law. 

“Let’s not pass legislation that runs afoul of both the federal and state constitution,” Cramer said.

The corresponding House Bill 1605 (HB1605), sponsored by Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), has sparked much debate but passed the House Education Administration Committee in a roll call vote with votes falling mostly among party lines 12 to 4.

During that roll call vote – requested by Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) – Chairman Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) declined to cast a vote at all, while Representative John Gillepsie (R-Memphis-District 97) joined three Democrats in voting no.

Representative John Gillepsie (R-Memphis-District 97) voted with Democrats – Image source: capitol.tn.gov

If made law, LEAs and public charter schools would be allowed to fly only the following:

• The United States Flag

• The Official Tennessee State Flag

• A Flag That Cannot be Disturbed or Altered (TCA Section 4-1-412)

• The POW/MIA Flag

• A Flag Representing an Indian Tribe (25 U.S.C. Section 5304)

• A Flag Representing a City, County, Metropolitan Government, or Other Political Subdivision of the State of Tennessee

• A Flag Representing a Unit, Brand, or Other Division of the Armed Forces Including ROTC Programs

• A Flag Representing a College or University

• A Flag Displayed Temporarily as Part of a Bona Fide Course Curriculum

• An Official School Flag

In addition, organizations authorized to use a public school building for a meeting could also display a flag of their choice during that time, meaning that Gay Sexual Alliance clubs would be permitted to display a Pride flag during their meetings.

HB1605 has been placed on the House calendar for February 26th. If you support this bill, contact your Representative to make your feelings known before the vote. 

You may find the contact details for your Representative HERE.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.

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24 Responses

    1. People across Tennessee and the US are sick of electing politicians who don’t represent the people who elect them. At least now we know our those three elected RINO’S views.

  1. Guess God must be dead, at least in the minds of these Politicians.

    Teaching, Promoting a doctrine that will cause Kids to be tormented for eternity in Hell,
    Doesn’t show any respect for God, or the Children.

    People better start learning to recognize the “Disciples of Satan”

    and the “Work” they are doing for the “Devil”.

    1. Sim,
      You are 100% right. We need God and so many don’t know God or don’t believe in God.
      Your post is well said. Thanks!

  2. Did you notice also that is was all 3 Chairs of the Senate Education Committee who voted against? That tells me something of the mindset of this committee’s leadership.

  3. I agree with the law. If kids aren’t allowed to wear certain items of clothing because it might offend someone, why is it that teacher’s are allowed to hang a flag in their class that has nothing to do with the curriculum?? Keep your personal life personal and outside of the school. School is not for being taught someone’s personal beliefs or sexual preferences! It’s ridiculous how far off we’ve let these teachers come!

  4. Well, there is a little good news here. Now that Mark Green is leaving Congress there will be a vacancy in the 7th District seat and the good news is that Bill Powers has said he will NOT be running to fill that vacancy.

    As for John Gillespie his TN Legislative Report Card score of 64/F says it all, but hey its Memphis, so I guess we have to be thankful for any Republican we get.

    1. Mark Green is considering running again after all. Look at how much money he made in stock trading in just last year…. Public knowledge!

  5. The Bill allows too many kinds of flags. It should only allow the US and TN flags. BUT at least there are limits and they can’t have the Satan flag.

    1. I agree with you David.

      Opening legal doors to other flag-flying groups will create a slippery slope for the future, along with wasted time & money determining which flags can fly.

      It should be US and Tennessee flags only – clean & clear. We don’t need the front of our public schools looking like an entrance to the United Nations or a parade.

  6. Powers has been a huge disappointment. No wonder he is not running again. And that is a good thing for TN.

  7. So Gardenhire, Lundberg, Powers, White, and Gillespie are all pedophiles or pedophile enablers (no real difference).

    Lots of gutless cuck pedos in the TN Republican party.

  8. I’m afraid that RINO Representative Gillespie may have underwater that displays the gay pride flag. Memphis misfits need to go.

  9. I would also vote “NO” but because this bill does not go far enough.

    It allows quite a few ideologies for which there is no consensus.

    Haranguing about POW/MIA is a means of justifying what many consider an unjust war.
    Indian tibes? Really? Do we still need to get the wagons in a circle?
    Military and univeristies? Recruiting children before their smart enough to figure out a scam?
    Flags that are part of a curriculum? Oh! The Stars and Bars! How about the ol’Hackenkreuz in WW2! and then, of course we’ll have the Star of David flyin ghigh above the U.S. flag symbolizing teh final triumph of AIPAC!

    You might also to read “A Flag That Cannot be Disturbed or Altered” (TCA Section 4-1-412)
    It seems pretty wide open to both sides of any conflict in which U.S. citizens participated.
    It all depends upon who sits on teh “commission” and that chagnes with the weather

    The U.S. and state flag are enough.

    Beyond that, you’re endorsing something upon which the public doesn’t agree on public property which the public pays for: it’s just a way for one side to rub salt into the wounds of the other and assure that we’ll never ever hear the end of any of it no matter who won i.e there is no winning and no point to any of it.

    1. I agree!

      Opening legal doors to other flag-flying groups will create a slippery slope for the future, along with wasted time & money determining/bolting which flags can fly.

      It should be US and Tennessee flags only – clean & clear. We don’t need the front of our public schools looking like an entrance to the United Nations or a parade.

  10. We call these so called Republicans Rino’s and they are. They are really Democrat Liberals! We don’t need any liberals because they are Satan lovers.

  11. Theses RINO”S show their True Colors! Send them packing along with their TRash flag come election.

  12. I agree with what so many on this post said..the only flags that should fly in front of a school is the US flag and the TN flag. I remember a time, many years ago when I was in school the only flag flying was the United States flag and it was put out every morning and removed when school was over every afternoon. Of course every morning we had prayer over the intercom as well as saying the Pledge of Allegiance and that is what we need to get back to!! God, Family, Country!!

    No club should be allowed to fly their flag when using the school building and the lgbtq alphabet club absolutely should not even be using our schools for anything or any reason!!! The children should be protected from their curriculum at all costs!! Get back to reading, writing and arithmetic and teaching our children how to be good leaders, Godly leaders, they are our future!!

  13. One more thing, The RHINOS and the liberals need to go so we can get OUR COUNTRY Back!!!

    1. I agree US & TN flag should be the only flag flown. Lundberg will not be getting my family support.

  14. I agree with you. These 3 will be back begging for votes. Jon Lundberg is showing there true colors an bending over to demorats.

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