CHURCH VS. STATE

TN House Fails to Override Governor’s Bible Bill Veto

Fall short by 43-50 vote.

The Tennessee House of Representatives fell short Wednesday of the required amount of votes to overturn Gov. Bill Haslam's veto of a bill making the Bible the state's official book. The override effort lost by a count of 43-50, and the bill's main sponsor Rep. Jerry Sexton (R) lamented, "There is so much oppression today of Christian beliefs and values it seems it is not the popular thing to do." He remained defiant, saying, "I stand today to say that I'm a Christian and I'm proud that I am and I'm proud that I live in a country that I have the freedom to do that," but he did not indicate whether he intends to bring the bill back for another attempt at passage.