Senate delays consideration of abortion resolution

By: AP

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Senate has delayed consideration of a proposal to dial back constitutional protections for abortion rights in Tennessee.
Sen. Diane Black, a Gallatin Republican and the main sponsor of the measure, says she wants to wait until all of her fellow Republicans are in the chamber to vote.
One fellow Republican was absent Monday and Sen. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, was expected to miss Wednesday’s session following the death of his mother-in-law.
Black says she will now begin consideration of the proposal on Thursday. That means the Senate will have to wait at least until Jan. 24 to vote on the proposal.
The measure seeks to nullify a state Supreme Court ruling that the Tennessee Constitution offers greater protection for abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution.
Read the SJR0127 on the Legislature’s Web site at: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us
Published in The Messenger 1.15.08

,