NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday defended Tennessee’s response to the coronavirus pandemic after receiving criticism from a top Democratic congressional leader, arguing that his decisions have been “data driven” despite not adhering entirely to White House recommendations.
“Our response has focused on reducing bureaucratic barriers, strengthening private sector partnerships, and finding every opportunity to protect the lives and livelihoods of Tennessee,” Lee, a Republican, said in a three-page letter to South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn.
Clyburn, a Democrat and chairman of the House coronavirus oversight panel, had sent out requests earlier this year to four Republican governors demanding documentation on how their states are combating the pandemic.
According to Clyburn, Tennessee appeared to be flouting private recommendations from the White House’s coronavirus task force and instead following “contradictory public messaging coming from (President Donald Trump’s) Administration.”
The Democrat requested Lee hand over public health guidance communications provided by the White House to figure out which guidelines the state was following. Just days earlier, White House coronavirus task force leader Dr. Deborah Birx traveled to Nashville to implore leaders to close bars, limit indoor restaurant seating and to wear masks.