Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Legislation that would prohibit Tennessee from having a business relationships with foreign adversaries of the United States failed in the House Public Service Subcommittee on Tuesday by voice vote led by Republican Chair Iris Rudder.
House Bill 1841 (HB1841) was sponsored by State Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33).
According to Ragan, the bill “ensure that state and local governments build their supply chains through companies in the U.S. and our allies, not adversarial countries.”
Ragan explained an amendment that made the bill, stating that it would forbid the state or any subdivision of the state from contracting with foreign adversarial countries. It also stipulates that third party vendors cannot resell items from foreign adversaries to the state.
The bill also requires any vendor that contracts with these countries to disclose that information.
Ragan noted that the legislation does include a Safe Harbor clause that would allow contracts if there is no reasonable alternative.
Representative Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown-District 38) noted that a lot of people were opposed to the bill and asked if he understood correctly that the bill would prohibit the state from any purchases from China or Japan.
Ragan clarified that Japan would not be on the restricted list but that China could be.
Representative Curtis Johnson then asked legal if, assuming the law was passed and went into effect on July 1, current contracts would be held to that law.
Matt Mundy from legal services noted that it would only apply to new contracts and renewed contracts going forward.
Several other representatives expressed concern that passing the bill would hinder companies in Tennessee from conducting their business.
Ragan clarified that it only applied to companies who do business with the state.
The question was called on the bill, and Chairwoman Iris Rudder (R-Winchester-District 39) called for a voice vote.
Chair Iris Rudder stated that the legislation failed with no member audibly voting in favor of the bill.
Chair Iris Rudder (R-Winchester-District 39) chose to use a voice vote to hide the voting records of subcommittee members from public scrutiny. We can only assume that Representative Rudder opposes this bill and is responsible for its failing. As chair of the subcommittee, Rudder could have used a transparent roll call vote but opted for a voice vote to shield subcommittee members and herself from accountability.
According to a statement made by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69) on the Mill Creek View Tennessee Podcast all that is necessary for a legislator to have their voice vote recorded is to simply give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to the clerk. It is very easy then for legislators to put their vote on the record for transparency with their constituents if they so choose.
If readers would like to contact the representatives on the subcommittee and ask them why they think Tennessee should be doing business with the adversaries of the United States, their contact info can be found below.
rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov , rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov , rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov , rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
