Illinois proposal denounces TN House for spurning anti-white nationalist resolution

A resolution filed in the Illinois House of Representatives declares that the Tennessee House has “been cowed by the growing influence of white nationalists and neo-Nazis” and the Democrat sponsor tells The Tennessean he expects it to pass with Republican support. It’s suggested other states may do the same.

The measure filed by Illinois Rep. Lou Lang cites the Tennessee House’s rejection of a resolution denouncing white nationalists – HJR853 by Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville). Clemmons’ measure failed to get the necessary seconding motion for passage in the House State Government Subcommittee last month.

The Illinois House resolution filed this week says that the Tennessee House of Representatives “failed to summon sufficient moral courage and basic decency to place itself on the record against such a sinister and pernicious ideology infecting the body politic of the United States” and adopts the full text of Clemmons’ resolution as approved by the Illinois legislature.

Earlier this month, House Republican Caucus Chairman Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, sponsored a nearly identical version of Clemmons’ resolution that omitted a paragraph urging law enforcement to recognize and pursue white nationalist groups as “domestic terrorist organizations.”

He then withdrew it from consideration, citing concerns from other Republicans about the text of the resolution.

Speaking to USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee on Thursday, Lang said that his resolution, filed Tuesday, has already gained to Republican co-sponsors. He expects “it’s going to pass quite easily.”

“I thought it was breathtaking that the Tennessee legislature couldn’t find it in their heart and soul to turn back the kind of thinking that comes out of those two groups of people,” Lang said, referring to neo-Nazis and white nationalists. “I wanted to use the Tennessee experience to make the statement in Illinois … to show the state of Tennessee how it’s done.”

When reached on Thursday, Clemmons said he had spoken with Lang earlier in the day and thanked him for introducing the resolution.

“I’ve been encouraging others to do the same,” Clemmons said, adding that he is starting the process by reaching out to legislators in New Jersey, Texas and California about filing similar resolutions.

Further from WZTV:

Clemmons says he hopes every county, city, and state pass a similar bill. “There is no place for neo-Nazi and white supremacists in this country,” Clemmons told FOX 17 News, “the Republicans first killed my bill then plagiarized it and still couldn’t get it out of caucus. I think that tells you a lot.”

Clemmons says he plans to introduce the bill again next session. As for Lang’s bill, it was referred to the Rules Committee in the Illinois House.