Members of Tennessee General Assembly State Support for Special Session to Save National Guardsmen’s Jobs

Several members of the Tennessee General Assembly told The Tennessee Star that they would support holding a special session of the legislature in order to save the jobs of National Guard members who refused to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Members of both the State House and State Senate support the idea.

Previously reported, State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and Senate Deputy Speaker Janice Bowling made statements favorable to holding a special session in support of the guardsmen.

State Representative Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station) made the suggestion of a special session to Governor Lee’s aide when he and a group of guardsmen and supporters delivered a letter to the governor’s office asking for his help.

State Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston) told The Star that he believes the state should step in to help the guardsmen.

“I strongly support the men and women who serve in the Tennessee National Guard. The Biden administration should respect the principled decisions of the servicemen and women who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Threatening their livelihood is no way to treat the guardsmen who are always there for the state when called upon. These are the people who worked tirelessly with the Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as bravely defended the U.S. southern border to curb a surging drug crisis earlier this year. The state should step in to protect their jobs if the Biden administration makes moves to fire guardsmen based on their personal medical decisions,” Chairman Yager said.

State Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington) declared his unwavering support for Tennessee National Guard members.

Yes, Every Kid

“My support for the Tennessee National Guard is unwavering. In the General Assembly, we should do all we can to protect the men and women who have chosen to serve our state in the National Guard. It is not surprising that President Biden and his administration is attempting to force their woke agenda on our service members. As a Tennessee state senator, I will push back on President Biden’s continued overreach and protect the jobs of service members in our National Guard,” he said.

State Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville), who also serves as chairman of the State House Finance, Ways, and Means Appropriations Subcommittee, stated support for any policy that helps the guardsmen.

“I am for supporting any policy which assists our Tennessee National Guard. Would like to see the details regarding any policy as well as the long-term cost implications to the state if the federal government follows through with this overreach. I suspect that the federal bureaucracy won’t follow through with the requirement,” Williams said.

State Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-HD64) said, “It’s unconscionable that the Biden administration wants to fire the brave men and women of our National Guard simply because of a personal medical decision they are well within their rights to make for themselves. I will always support our men and women who serve our country, and I will always stand up for the right of every American to make their own medical decisions. I support anything that protects these men and women and that of course includes a special session.”

State Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) simply said, “Yes, I would support,” when asked whether or not he’d support a special session.

State Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), a war veteran, was fervent in support for Tennessee National Guard members.

“Our military and veterans have, throughout the years, cared more about our freedom and liberty than even their own lives … as a Vietnam war veteran myself, I will stand with the men and women of our Tennessee military, and if a special session or other approach should be required to support them in this effort, then I will be there for them … they are certainly always there for us,” Crowe said.

While all members of the General Assembly have been asked for comment on the National Guard issue, no Democrat from either body has responded to any of The Star’s questions on the matter.

– – –

Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTRTwitterTruth Social, and Parler.

 

Related posts

One Thought to “Members of Tennessee General Assembly State Support for Special Session to Save National Guardsmen’s Jobs”

  1. Karen L Bracken

    Time to kick Lee to the curb. VOTE Independent and get rid of this RINO.

Comments