TN bill banning pride flags, other ‘non-governmental’ flags in schools fails in Senate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Pride flags and other non-governmental flags will remain in school rooms after the Senate failed to pass a ban on them Tuesday.

Lacking the constitutionally required number of votes to pass the Senate, SB1722, brought by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) failed on the chamber floor by a vote of 13-6—four votes shy of the constitutional majority.

According to the state capitol website, bills require at least 17 favorable votes in the Senate to pass. Tuesday afternoon, multiple lawmakers opted not to vote at all, making the bill’s passage virtually impossible.

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In addition to the lawmakers not voting at all, three Republican senators opted for a “roll call” vote, or opted to abstain from the vote officially. Those senators were Sens. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), and Ken Yager (R-Kingston).

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally joined all Democrats in attendance in opposing the measure.

When asked by Nashville Democrat Sen. Heidi Campbell why the bill was necessary, Hensley said he had some constituents raise concerns about some flags in their children’s classrooms that did not align with their personal beliefs.

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“There were some parents in my district that felt like flags were being displayed in the public school classroom that did not coincide with their values and felt like their children should not be indoctrinated in the schools,” he said.

Without the constitutional majority of votes needed, the bill was sent back to the committee on calendar and rules, per McNally.

The bill was brought in the House by Rep. Gino Bulso. The House passed that version of the bill in February and was waiting on Senate action to move forward.

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