Pro-life Tennesseans ended the state Legislative session with an impressive win on a long sought priority: removal of preferential treatment for Planned Parenthood, the state's largest promoter and provider of abortion services. By strong majorities of 25-7 in the state Senate and 69-22 in the state House, pro-life legislators in both parties took action to remove language first placed into Tennessee law during the early 1970's which specifically named abortion provider Planned Parenthood as an officially recognized adjunct to state family planning services. In addition to removing the clause, pro-life legislators enacted language which mandates that the Tennessee Department of Health give priority and preference to local public health departments in the awarding of family planning funds rather than private, non-profit organizations. Tennessee Right to Life expresses profound gratitude to members of the General Assembly who supported the efforts to protect Tennessee tax payers, abortion vulnerable women and unborn children with passage of SB 470 and HB 1756."This has been a pro-life priority for many years and Right to Life is grateful for the determined legislative leadership in both houses which removed preferential treatment for this organization profiting from the practice and promotion of abortion," said Brian Harris, the organization's president. "Giving first priority to local health departments strengthens the provision of services to vulnerable populations without favoring an entity which has a significant financial interest in the success or failure of those services," Harris said. Many legislators joined together to move the bills through seven legislative committees and both legislative chambers. Some sacrificed other priorities of significance in order to see the defunding bill move forward. Particular appreciation should be expressed to Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) and House Speaker Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) who both demonstrated courage and conviction in making pro-life matters a legislative priority this session. Additionally, prime sponsors of the legislation Sen. Jack Johnson (R-College Grove) and Rep. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) deserve enormous credit for taking the lead in moving the bills, along with House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol), House Republican Caucus Leader Glen Casada (R-Franklin), Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland), Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville), and Rep. Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) who all worked closely to shepherd the bills to passage. Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) successfully sought to remove Planned Parenthood's preferential status with her amendment passed by both the House and the Senate. Tennessee Right to Life also thanks sincere pro-life Democrats whose consistent, reliable support and counsel made bi-partisan passage likely: Senator Douglas Henry (D-Nashville), Rep. Eddie Bass (D-Prospect), Rep. Curt Cobb (D-Shelbyville), Rep. Charles Curtiss (D-Sparta), and Rep. John Mark Windle (D-Livingston). The Legislature's action ends a session marked by Right to Life gains including first House passage of SJR 127, a long sought proposed constitutional amendment which would allow Tennessee legislators to restore the state's court-stricken protections such as informed consent for women considering abortion, a 48 hour waiting period and the regulation of abortion facilities in Tennessee. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Diane Black and Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) with strong support from Representatives Charles Curtiss, Curt Cobb, and Bill Dunn. It easily passed the Senate in March, 24-8 and the House during May, 77-21. "Tennessee is a strongly pro-life state and with new legislative leadership, the General Assembly's actions are finally beginning to mirror the majority's life-affirming views," said Harris.
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