House majority leader Glen CasadaNASHVILLE – House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada today said he has put on hold for now his push to hold a special legislative session on a transgender bathroom controversy based on reassurances from Tennessessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery on the issue.
“It’s not an acute need with the attorney general’s actions,” Casada said today
Slatery, a Republican, told Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, the Republican Senate speaker, and others that he would defend Sumner County schools if the Obama administration seeks to cut off federal funds to the district over its policies on transgender students’ use of restrooms and locker rooms.
Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union-Tennessee sent a letter to U.S. Education Department officials urging the agency to take action against Sumner County.
That came after Education Secretary John King and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch the week before issued a directive to public schools nationwide with guidance on how to handle transgender students’ use of facilities.
Their directive included a warning the administration could cut off funds to systems if federal officials find there are violations of the administration’s interpretation of federal civil rights laws.
In a Legislative Plaza Plaza interview this afternoon, Casada said that while Slatery’s comments about defending Sumner are positive, he still wants to know if the attorney general would also defend other districts whose policies on transgender students run afoul of the Obama administration’s interpretations of the 1964 U.S. Civil Rights law’s provisions.
“It’s ready to go,” Casada said of his effort, noting he already has 57 of the required 66 representatives – a two thirds super majority – to call the House into special session.
Ramsey told the Times Free Press over the weekend he saw no need for the special session after speaking with Slatery who called him. A special session requires both chambers to vote individually to come back to Nashville to conduct business. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam could call them back but has previously said he’s comfortable that Slatery would support the state’s view.