Tennessee state legislative leaders have created a committee to consider rejecting federal education funding in Tennessee. If the state does reject federal education funding, it would be a major step toward restoring state sovereignty and pushing back against federal overreach. Contact your state legislators, and urge them to reject all federal funding — for education and all other matters.
Tennessee lawmakers are seeking to enact legislation that would be a good first step toward rejecting unconstitutional federal education funding and, by extension, restoring state sovereignty in this key area.
House Bill No. 1249 (HB 1249) and Senate Bill No. 1507 (SB 1507) are sponsored by Representative Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and Senator Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). Sexton is the Speaker of the House, while McNally is Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee.
If enacted, HB 1249/SB 1507 would create a “federal education funding task force.” This task force, comprised of state legislators and education officials, would review all federal education funding in Tennessee, including how it is being used, any strings attached to such funding, and whether Tennessee had the option of not participating in federal education-related programs.
Furthermore, the task force would examine the feasibility of rejecting federal funding and:
Recommend a strategic action plan to guide the administration and general assembly on how to reject federal funding for educational programs of purposes and how to eliminate restrictions placed on this state due to this state’s receipt of federal funding for educational programs or purposes.
Under the bill, this action plan would be submitted on or before December 1, 2023.
HB 1249/SB 1507 are a great first step toward rejecting unconstitutional federal funding and reclaiming state sovereignty. By funneling tax dollars to states and localities, the federal government makes them financially dependent — and it can (and already does) attach strings to its funding, thus forcing the states to comply with its draconian agenda.
Already, Tennessee receives about 40 percent of its revenue from the federal government, including $1.8 billion in education funding. About 10 percent of a state’s education-specific costs normally come from the federal government.
Furthermore, federal education funding is unconstitutional. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t give the federal government any role in education, and the 10th Amendment affirms that education policy lies with the states and the people. Tennessee shouldn’t participate at all in unconstitutional programs, and enacting HB 1249/SB 1507 would help free Tennessee from the federal government’s grasp. Contact your state representative and senator, urging them to support HB 1249/SB 1507 and to reclaim state sovereignty by rejecting all federal funding.
