Tennessee Senate directs attorney general to sue feds over refugee program

In this photo provided by Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, displaced Syrians walk among a temporary refugee camp in northern Syria, near Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Turkey was under pressure from the EU to open its border to up to 35,000 Syrians who have massed along the frontier in the past few days fleeing an onslaught by government forces and intense Russian airstrikes in Aleppo. (IHH via AP) In this photo provided by Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, displaced Syrians walk among a temporary refugee camp in northern Syria, near Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Turkey was under pressure from the EU to open its border to up to 35,000 Syrians who have massed along the frontier in the past few days fleeing an onslaught by government forces and intense Russian airstrikes in Aleppo. (IHH via AP)

By Andy Sher February 22, 2016 5 min read

NASHVILLE – Tennessee senators on Monday overwhelmingly approved a resolution directing Attorney General Herbert Slatery to sue the U.S. government over the federal refugee program. The measure also allows lawmakers to hire their own attorney if Slatery won’t.

Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey’s controversial measure passed 27-5 with only one GOP lawmaker voting no and just one Democrat voting for it. It now goes to the House for consideration.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, answers questions at the Tennessee Press Association convention on Jan. 28 in Nashville.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union-Tennessee condemned the vote. Tennessee joins Alabama and Texas in suing the federal government over the issue.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam raised questions about the need for the resolution last week.

The refugee resolution was introduced by Ramsey in the wake of the federal government’s efforts to relocate Syrian refugees to various states.