Latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in TN: The TRUMP Act
Heartened by President Donald Trump’s recent comments about marijuana, two Tennessee lawmakers who are physicians plan to renew efforts next year to legalize medical cannabis and are naming the bill after the president, reports the Times Free Press.
Blackburn urges Trump administration to reconsider ‘broad tariffs’
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn has drafted a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging the Trump administration to reconsider “broad tariffs” that raise “the grave potential for retaliatory tariffs to adversely impact industries across the state,” reports the Times Free Press.
Corker trying, again, to set up congressional block to Trump tariffs
Republican Sen. Bob Corker is making a new push to allow Congress to block President Donald Trump’s tariffs on U.S. allies, though GOP leaders may stop it in its tracks once again, reports Politico.
Lee new TV ad twofer: One focused on Jesus Christ, the other on Donald Trump (he supports both)
Press release from Bill Lee campaign
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Today, businessman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee released two new statewide television ads.
Corker’s latest Trump critique: ‘Ready, fire, aim’ policy on immigration
Tennessee’s Sen. Bob Corker says that the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy that forced many families to be separated at the U.S border was implemented in a “ready, fire, aim way” and is not a “realistic” way to enforce immigration laws, reports CBS News.
In GOP debate, candidates for governor back Trump immigration policy, dispute Lee’s claim to be the ‘only outsider’
The leading Republican candidates for Tennessee governor tried not to second-guess President Donald Trump during a debate Wednesday night, including pledging support for his administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, according to the Associated Press report.
At the debate, House Speaker Beth Harwell, ex-state economic development commissioner Randy Boyd and businessman Bill Lee blamed congressional inaction for the migrant family separations that have sparked recent public outrage. The statements likely took aim at U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who instead took a stance similar to Trump by blaming Democrats. She said Democrats are not supporting construction of a border wall.
Angry Corker blames tariff amendment rejection on Republicans afraid to ‘poke the bear’ (President Trump)
Sen. Bob Corker chastised his fellow Republicans on Tuesday for failing to allow a vote on his proposal giving Congress the chance to accept or reject tariffs imposed by the president, reports USA Today.
Bredesen: ‘I greatly admire’ Corker and Alexander efforts against Trump tariffs
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen tells The Leaf Chronicle that Hemlock Semiconductor shuttered its $1.2 billion plant in Clarksville – launched while he was governor – because of a dispute between China and the United States over tariffs. The comment was a prelude to declaring his support for efforts by Republican Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander to require congressional approval of President Trump’s proposed new tariffs.
Roe balks at backing Trump administration move to eliminate mandated health insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions
Many Republican congressmen – including at least one member of the Tennessee delegation — are unhappy that the Trump administration has moved to eliminate a provision in the Obamacare law that assures health insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, reports Politico.