The Tennessee state House has failed to override Governor Bill Haslam's veto of a bill that would designate the Bible as the state's official book.
Forty-three members voted to override Haslam's veto, but the override needed 50 votes in order to pass the bill along to the Senate for further consideration.
This is how the Bible bill override vote went down. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/j4MII722uY
— Jesse Knutson (@NC5_JKnutson) April 20, 2016
Haslam vetoed the bill last week over constitutional concerns and because of concerns the measure "trivializes" what he considers a sacred text.
Multiple representatives on the house floor stood with Haslam today, in opposition of making the Bible the state book of Tennessee.
"This is pure hypocrisy." Democratic representative Antonion Parkinson of Memphis said on the house floor. "I want to thank the governor for having the guts to veto this legislation."
Other representatives said making the Bible Tennessee's official state book would diminish the significance of Bible.
"We can put it all over the billboards on every corner in the state of Tennessee." Democractic Representative Johnny Shaw of Bolivar said. "But if this is not in your heart, we're doing nothing but mocking God."
Sponsors argued that the measure seeks to honor the economic and historical impact of the Bible in Tennessee history, rather than a state endorsement of religion.
The bill sparked controversy throughout the country, with some threatening consequences on Tennessee, and those in favor of the override addressed that on the house floor.
"If folks want to leave Tennessee, tell them to leave." Democratic Representative John DeBerry of Memphis said. "If they want to stop doing business, tell them to go."
Republican representative Jerry Sexton of Bean Station who sponsored the bill said he has no plans to bring the bill back next session.
Political analysts say the Governor Haslam took a major risk in vetoing bill because unlike most states, a two-thirds majority isn't needed to override a bill.
"I think for him when you use that veto power, particularly when it’s weak as it is in Tennessee, when you do use it, you need to prevail," NewsChannel 5 political analyst Pat Nolan said.
"Lawmakers always get uncomfortable when they have to vote about a bill with the kind of religious overtones that a bill like this had," he added.
