GOP support splinters for Tennessee immigrant education bill
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Tennessee legislation that would open the door to denying undocumented students a public education is approaching its final hurdles in the General Assembly, but cracks in its Republican support have emerged.
Why it matters: The bill would give public school districts the option to turn away undocumented children.
- That concept explicitly violates a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but leading Republican lawmakers want to trigger a lawsuit that might allow today's more conservative court to reverse that decision.
The latest: The bill has moved forward in both chambers despite passionate protests since it was filed on Feb. 4. It is scheduled for its final Senate vote Thursday.
- The House version is awaiting its final committee vote. It cleared a pivotal committee this week — but only barely.
Friction point: The bill has backing from several influential Republicans, including sponsor Rep. William Lamberth, the House majority leader. Supporters have echoed President Trump's hardline stance against illegal immigration.
- But some prominent members of the Republican supermajority oppose the measure. Rep. Jeremy Faison, the House Republican Caucus chair, joined Democrats in voting against it this week in the government operations committee, per the Tennessean. It came within one vote of failing.
- Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), who chairs the judiciary committee, said the bill saddened him because it would "pick on children."
State of play: Opposition to the legislation intensified this week as it neared its final votes. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance bashed it as "unethical, fiscally irresponsible, and politically desperate."
- The group highlighted opposition from key Republicans.
Between the lines: If the measure passes, lawmakers will have to wrestle with significant differences between the House and Senate versions.
- For instance, the Senate version, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), requires all schools to verify students' immigration status.
- The House version allows schools to decide whether or not to collect immigration information.
What they're saying: Metro Nashville Public Schools has reiterated its commitment to educating all students regardless of immigration status.