VITAL POLICY – OPINION – Nullification Bill Rejected by Senate State and Local Government Committee, Federal Power Remains Unrestrained

Important Lesson in States’ Rights

The federal government was created by a group of states that decided that a national government was needed for certain vital functions such as national defense and creating uniform currency; but those states wanted strict limits on federal power. This is why such a bitter argument raged in the summer of 1787 concerning the federal constitution. The framers and founders were terrified of unbridled government power. However, contemporary state lawmakers are sometimes blinded by the federal pipeline of “free money” or just lack the understanding of our brilliantly designed system of limits and separation of power. The late supreme court justice Antonin Scalia explains this well in a 7-minute video linked here.

We have languished far too long in our country, failing to adequately teach these principles in our education system. Because of this, we are on the brink of losing our constitutional republic and are seeing runaway federal budgets, including a 31.6 trillion-dollar unsustainable national debt. At least two Tennessee lawmakers are trying to set us on a proper path to squelch certain actions taken by the runaway federal government.

Recognizing the ever-increasing threat of federal overreach, Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) and Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) recently introduced proposed legislation that would create 5 pathways for state nullification of federal overreach. The house bill was approved by the House State Government Public Service Subcommittee only to be killed in a subsequent hearing by the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

A video of Representative Bud Hulsey explaining the importance of the bill can be viewed at the link provided here. Bowling’s committee presentation is linked here. Both videos should be required viewing in all history and political science classes in the state of Tennessee.

The Hulsey/Bowling proposed legislation is opposed by Governor Lee. State Sovereignty Bill Opposed By Governor Lee To Be Heard By House And Senate Committees – Tennessee Conservative (tennesseeconservativenews.com)

Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) moved the bill in committee, but it failed for lack of a second. Senate Committee Kills Bill To Protect Tennessee’s Sovereignty – Tennessee Conservative (tennesseeconservativenews.com)

David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level.