(The Center Square) – Rep. John Clemmons, D-Nashville, made it clear that he was frustrated during the debate over a bill that would allow school districts to ban children illegally in the country.
House Bill 793, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland, would also allow schools to charge tuition to students who could not provide documents that show they are citizens or in the country legally.
Clemmons said the bill is about “punishing innocent children.”
“I’ve given up on trying to compel people with empathy or heart, love, anything like that so I’m going to talk money,” Clemmons said. “This bill would drain over a billion dollars in federal funds from the state to carry out an unconstitutional policy. LEA’s would lose $70 million plus in TISA funding. If I sound frustrated, if I sound mad as hell, it’s because I am.”
LEA is an acronym for local education agency; TISA is an acronym for Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement.
When given a chance to respond, Lamberth said, “I am sure you spent some time over the weekend thinking about that and I appreciate you sharing it with us.”
Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, acknowledged the large crowd in the committee room that opposed the bill. They later booed him.
“We’re not talking about immigrants, we’re talking about illegals,” Fritts said to boos from the crowd. “There is a distinct difference.”
The crowd began to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” as the Committee Chairman Justin Lafferty, R-Knoxville, called for the vote. The committee recessed until the room cleared.
The bill passed along party lines, with Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cosby joining Democrats. Its next stop is the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
The scenario was similar to one that played out in the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee last week.
Several people started singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” after the bill was passed. The committee recessed, and Tennessee State Troopers were called in to remove the protestors, who were holding signs in the committee room.
The Senate version of the bill has cleared all committees and could go before the full chamber this week.
