LarryElder: The Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national nonprofit public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, MI, has been selected by the Tennessee General Assembly to represent the General Assembly and the State of Tennessee in a constitutional challenge to the federal government’s refugee resettlement program as a violation of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a public interest law firm, TMLC will represent Tennessee without charge.
The Tennessee General Assembly, by overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate, passed Senate Joint Resolution 467 (“SJR 467”) during the 2016 legislative session. The Resolution authorized legal action to stop the federal government’s violation of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because it impermissibly commandeers state funds to finance a federal program.
State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, commented, “Of all the legislation that I have worked on, this by far is the most important. The only way we can get back to our Constitutional Beginnings and the intent birthed by our Founding Fathers is to go and take it back. We are looking forward to linking arms with the Thomas More Law Center for the long haul to regain sovereignty for our great state.”
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, added, “At issue is state sovereignty. Our rights and responsibilities under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution are at stake. We seek a declaration of these rights. Indifference to our constitutional rights is indifference to our duty. We are not indifferent.” MORE
Obliviously the local politicians in this community weren’t paid off like the power brokers in other communities across the US. Follow the money.
Hallelujah! Tennessee gets it. Let’s hope other states join the challenge.