Republican leaders across Tennessee have largely maintained that the state’s abortion ban allows doctors to perform the procedure, should they need to save the life of the mother, even though the statute doesn’t explicitly say so.
FILE - House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, presides over the House on the first day of the 2020 legislative session, Jan. 14, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. For months, Tennessee's Republican leaders have largely maintained that the state's abortion ban known as one of the strictest in the U.S. allows doctors to perform the procedure, should they need to save the pregnant person's life, even though the statute doesn't explicitly say so.
These divisions have emerged as state lawmakers returned to Tennessee's capitol city this week to start the 2023 legislative session. They could represent the next front in the legal fight over when and how to make exceptions to abortion bans in states with Republican majorities. was a hope among most Republicans, rather than an impending reality. In the months since Tennessee's law has been in effect, at least one Republican state lawmaker has admitted that he voted for the trigger law after hardly reading it because he never thought the high court would revoke the constitutional right to abortion.
And though he said he would probably vote against a bill that would change the abortion law, McNally said abortion won't be used as a “litmus test” for GOP senators. He said he wouldn't actively work to block a bill from coming to the floor for a vote.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tennessee GOP split over adding exceptions to abortion banRepublican leaders across Tennessee have largely maintained that the state’s abortion ban allows doctors to perform the procedure, should they need to save the life of the mother, even though the statute doesn’t explicitly say so
Read more »
Tennessee GOP split over adding exceptions to abortion banFor months, Tennessee's Republican leaders have maintained that the state's abortion ban — known as one of the strictest in the U.S. Since some isolated Republican lawmakers vouched for exceptions, this week a key legislative leader acknowledged that the skeptics had a point — and he thinks the law should be changed. “You have all kinds of people who say: I don’t see it, can you point to it?” House Speaker Cameron Sexton said, about the statute's unclear language around exemptions, in an interview with The Associated Press.
Read more »
GOP members, but not GOP leaders, push for Santos’ ousterFour years ago, Kevin McCarthy set a standard by ostracizing Steve King from Republican politics. The new speaker could approach George Santos’ scandal the same way — but there's a reason he doesn't want to. (via MaddowBlog)
Read more »
Column: With In-N-Out, Tennessee officials are double-doubling down on CaliforniaIn-N-Out made headlines after announcing it will open up shop in Tennessee. But lost in the hubbub is the state's use of California to solve an identity crisis.
Read more »
Husband of Tennessee cop at center of department sex scandal sticking by his wife: reportTennessee cop Maegan Hall’s husband Jedidiah is standing by her after she was fired for having sex with six coworkers, his boss said, according to report.
Read more »
Tennessee Williams, JFK and a Suspected Nazi Spy: The History Behind Charleston’s Fort Sumter HouseBefore it became a condo, Charleston's famed Fort Sumter House welcomed visitors such as a young John F. Kennedy and playwright Tennessee Williams
Read more »