The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the State Constitution provides a fundamental right for abortion. In an effort to put the matter back in the hands of the citizens, pro-life lawmakers introduced resolutions to amend the constitution, all of which easily passed in the Senate. The House has not been as eager to move forward.  The current resolution died in committee earlier this year. It met the same fate in several prior legislative sessions.  Lawmakers hoped to recall the resolution.  Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life, explains what happened Thursday.

“There was a heroic effort made to try to add a call for the immediate consideration of the pro-life amendment onto an unrelated bill.”

For a while it looked like the pro-lifers in the House were going to be successful “but ultimately it required a two-thirds majority which we still don’t have here in our state House.” 

Now the future of the amendment is uncertain. Carrie Gordon Earll with Focus on the Family Action says Tennessee has no ability to enact even the most minimal common sense pro-life laws like informed consent…and the legislative landscape doesn’t look to get any better. 

“Without some kind of state constitutional amendment Tennessee will not be able to regulate abortion or ban abortion at all if the US Supreme Court overturns Roe.” 

It will be up to pro-life leaders in the state to convince more lawmakers to side with them if they want the amendment to become a reality.