The Tennessee Republican Party hosted a prayer breakfast Jan. 29 with guest speaker Gianna Jessen who drew the focus to the vote in the State Legislature on SJR 127, the resolution allowing legislators who represent the people of Tennssee to set abortion policy in Tennessee rather than leave it in the hands of a few unelected justices on the State Supreme Court, as the Democrats propose. Ms. Jessen, currently 30 years old, is “gifted” with cerebral palsy and a slight limp due to the saline abortion she survived. She spoke of her birth in an abortion clinic while her biological mother was exercising her “reproductive choice,” as Democrats like to say. Ms. Jessen reminds us that what pro-abortion Democrats call a “fetal mass” or “embryonic tissue” is, in fact, a life that adds to the greatness of our culture, or would if it were not aborted. Thanks to Gianna, to the great leaders of our state and federal delegations who stand for issues that are right and bring decency to our state.

Statements from our Republican Congressional Delegation
TRP Staff Photo with Gianna Jessen

The State of the State Address kicked the week off with Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen speaking of a ship in rough waters, referencing the budget shortfall and requested service cuts. In addressing healthcare, the Governor is now proposing to increase in home based care. This after years of legislation proposed by Republicans in the Tennessee Senate and House to do just that - and after 3 consecutive years of nursing home closings by the state, 20 in 2007 alone. Congratulations and a big “thank you” to our Republican State Legislators for their leadership in ideas that are solving problems that affect Tennesseans.

The Tennessee Senate passed SJR 127 this week, the resolution that would allow Tennesseans to vote on whether the Tennessee Constitution should be stronger than the U.S. Constitution, as it currently is, in stating that a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion. All Republicans in the Senate voted to allow the people to speak through their elected representatives rather than have the courts decide. Legislation protecting the unborn, providing for informed consent and a waiting period were overturned by activists judges a few years ago. Democrats seem willing to let Tennesseans vote on issues like the lottery but unwilling to let them have a voice through their legislators on a more important issue that defines the decency of our culture. This resolution has passed the Senate four times and has always died in the House. In 2006, House Democrats obstructed the vote despite 51 co-sponsors of the bill. Please call your Tennessee State Representative and ask them to vote for SJR 127, to give the people’s legislature, rather than unelected judges, control of abortion policy in Tennessee.

Republicans in the General Assembly are proposing legislation that will put teeth in enforcement against drinking and driving. Republicans have been asking for years for an automatic revocation of licenses which the Governor is supporting finally this year and are introducing this session a package of bills that will strengthen the safety of our citizens on the roads and address the weaknesses currently in our DUI laws (Press Release).

Congratulations to Senator Bob Corker in his committee assignment to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Senator Corker will certainly bring a level of experience and insight that is needed while policy is being developed that will strengthen our economy and create jobs, not grow the expansive government.

Congratulations to Congressman Zach Wamp in being named the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Congressman Wamp has served with distinction and leadership on the House Appropriations Committee and will continue in this leadership role to focus on the priorities of our men and women defending our freedoms.