Tenn. House Rejects Proposed Constitutional Amendment Saying Right To Abortion Is Not Protected

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 06 May 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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A joint resolution (SJR 127) that would have amended Tennessee's Constitution to say that it does not protect the right to abortion or require funding of abortion did not receive the two-thirds majority required in the state House, the Tennessean reports. The House voted 55-40 in favor of the resolution on Thursday, short of the 66 votes required for its approval (Sledge, Tennessean, 5/2).

The measure was part of a response to a 2000 state Supreme Court decision that struck down some state restrictions on abortion, including a 48-hour waiting period, a requirement that women receive detailed information about the procedure and a requirement that all abortions after the first trimester be performed at a hospital (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/4).

The House vote came after a 47-46 vote to overrule House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's (D) attempt to prevent the resolution from reaching the floor, according to the Tennessean. The rejection marked the fourth time the proposed amendment failed in the House. Rep. Bill Dunn (R) said he would be willing to reintroduce the legislation in 2009 if he is re-elected, the Tennessean reports (Tennessean, 5/2).

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