Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Calling “Spiritually Inclined and Physically Able” Tennesseans to a month of prayer and fasting in July, HJR0051 found concurrence in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and will now go before the full Senate for a vote.
Sponsored by Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), the resolution is modeled after a similar one passed last year calling the state into a month of prayer and fasting. Fritts traveled to all 95 counties last July to meet with Tennesseans as they prayed.
The HJR acknowledges the nation, and the state of Tennessee, was established by founders whose Judeo-Christian values are outlined in the Bible and affirms the concept that “governments are established by God to protect the rights of the individual and the teachings to ‘do unto others as we would have them do unto us’ and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
This year’s resolution makes July’s month of prayer and fasting to seek “God’s hand of mercy and healing on Tennessee” an annual event and boasts 43 Republican House co-sponsors. Republican Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17) is currently listed as the only Senate co-sponsor.
During the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee meeting on Monday, April 21, Senator Pody reiterated the tenants of the legislation and there was no further discussion.
The committee recommended concurrence 9-0 and moved the bill to the Senate Calendar and Rules Committee for a date on the Senate floor. Members voting “Yes” were Republican Senators Haile, Hensley, Johnson, Powers, Rose, Stevens, Walley, Yager, and Watson. Democrat Jeff Yarbro voted Present Not Voting and Democrat London Lamar was not yet present at the meeting.
Chair Watson signaled his intent to close the committee for the session by announcing Monday’s meeting was expected to be the committee’s final one. This means the body will likely not consider any other bills this session and any bills still behind the budget as the sponsor was unable to procure funding will probably be dead for this year.
Last month, the House passed HJR0051 81-8 when Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledged their “sins and shortcomings, both individually and as a people” and agreed to “humbly” ask for the Lord’s forgiveness by voting in favor of this legislation.
To contact your Senator about this Resolution, use this tool to find their information: Find My Legislator
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
