TN Senate passes resolution in support of sending troops to US border in Texas
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Senate wants Texas leaders to know the state stands with them, according to a resolution passed Thursday morning.
Along party lines, the Senate voted to approve SR 188, which supports Texas’s “efforts to secure its border against the invasion of illegal immigration.”
The language of the bill urges Gov. Bill Lee to send National Guard troops to the Lone Star State, although the governor recently announced he would be deploying Tennessee National Guardsmen to the southern border to assist in the efforts. The governor visited Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the southern border along with 12 other governors at the beginning of the month.
TN Attorney General in support of Texas border security
He also committed to deploying two waves of state active-duty soldiers to Texas to assist in their efforts, according to a press release.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said on the chamber floor the resolution “says that we applaud that effort by Governor Lee, and we stand with our National Guard troops as they are deployed to the Texas border.”
State Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) questioned whether it was legal for Lee to send Tennessee National Guard troops somewhere that did not have direct implications in the Volunteer State.
“When it’s an issue that’s a federal issue like this, like immigration, is it actually legal to have a state send their National Guard to another state?” Campbell asked of Johnson.
“In my view,” Johnson said, “the governor has the authority to deploy the National Guard when it’s in the interest of Tennesseans and the safety and security of Tennesseans.”
Further, Johnson said, he agreed that immigration should be a federal issue but the Biden Administration has “failed miserably in doing their job of securing the southern border.”
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“In light of that absence of leadership and effective governance of the border, it is certainly within the purview of governors all across this state [sic] to do what they deem essential and imperative for the safety and security of their citizens,” he added.
Campbell hit back, saying Congress recently had an opportunity to approve an overhaul of the federal immigration system but failed to take action due to “political considerations at play.”
Ultimately, the Senate approved the resolution 24-4.
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