NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee wouldn't rule out the possibility that the state could bring challenges to previous supreme court rulings on same-sex marriage and abortion if Amy Coney Barrett is appointed the seat.
Tennessee lawmakers have brought forth legislation to challenge same-sex marriage in the past. Also, the legislature passed an abortion ban on any pregnancy once a fetal heartbeat is detected. It's a law that saw immediate legal challenges.
While answering questions from reporters Tuesday, Governor Lee said he didn't want to speculate on what would happen if Barrett takes the Supreme Court seat. However, he did say he believes the legislature does have a responsibility to pass laws that could lead to legal challenges.
"Any time this legislature passes a bill that they believe is constitutional and that the citizens of Tennessee agree is appropriate law for our state, then our state should defend it," said Lee when asked about the issue.
Barrett is President Donald Trump's nomination for the supreme court seat. She would replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
