CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2018 TENNESSEE RIGHT TO LIFE PAC ENDORSEMENTS Celebrate Amendment 1's victory at the U.S. Supreme Court by returning pro-life super-majorities to the Tennessee state House, state Senate, and Tennessee's Congressional delegation. In addition, Tennessee must have a Governor with the demonstrated commitment and capability to stand without fail for life. Based on objective criteria, Tennessee Right to Life PAC endorsements have been made following careful review of candidate surveys, voting records, public statements and statewide meetings between candidates and 15 members of the TRL PAC Endorsement Committee. Tennessee Right to Life urges votes and active support for the endorsed candidates by every Tennessean concerned for the unborn, the elderly and the medically vulnerable. Working together we will continue to meet the challenges and hasten the day when every life is protected by the laws of our communities, state and nation. Continue reading

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Request to Overturn Pro-Life Amendment 1 Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals' Unanimous Decision Stands NASHVILLE, OCTOBER 1, 2018 - Responding to today’s announcement by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding pro-life Amendment 1, Tennessee Right to Life offered the following comments: "Today’s announcement is cause for great celebration among Tennessee’s pro-life movement,” said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. “This is the culmination of many years work and Tennessee Right to Life is especially grateful to our state’s voters, legislators, election officials and Attorney General Slatery for staying the course. “ "The people’s voices have been heard and their votes have been counted," said Harris. "Now we have to continue to work for the day when every life is again protected by the laws of our state and nation.” Continue reading

Pro-Life Group Recalls Former Governor's Opposition to Legislation NASHVILLE, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 - Tennessee Right to Life weighed in on the U.S. Senate race Friday citing Bredesen's pro-abortion record as governor.  "Mr. Bredesen is attempting to muddy his position on abortion but many Tennesseans recall his refusal to sign legislation preventing abortion from becoming a funded benefit in health care plans," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. In 2010, during Bredesen's second term, the Legislature overwhelmingly passed language to opt out of pro-abortion mandates of the Affordable Care Act. The law states "No health care plan required to be established in this state through an exchange pursuant to federal health care reform legislation enacted by the 111th Congress shall offer coverage for abortion services. It passed the state House 70-23 and the state Senate 27-3.  Bredesen refused to sign the legislation and it became law despite his opposition. Continue reading

Saturday, Aug. 11 Last Day Performing Abortions Thanks Be To God! Saturday, August 11 was the final day of abortions at the unlicensed Women's Center abortion facility in Nashville. Opened in 1990, approximately 73,000 unborn children have been killed at 419 Welshwood Drive while an equal number of mothers and families have been irreparably affected forever. In 2006, thanks to generous members, Tennessee Right to Life opened offices at 409 Welshwood Drive to offer pregnancy help resources. Continue reading

2014 Pro-Life Ballot Measure Still Contested by Planned Parenthood Allies For most Tennessee voters, pro-life Amendment 1 was decided on November 4, 2014 when it was approved 53-47%. But several days later former Planned Parenthood board chair Tracey George joined 7 other pro-abortion activists in filing a legal challenge in Federal Court contesting the manner in which the state tabulated the votes and claiming discrimination against pro-abortion voters. In April 2016, former U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Sharp agreed with Planned Parenthood and demanded a recount of the votes. In his ruling, former Judge Sharp threatened to throw out the votes of those Tennesseans casting a vote on the Amendment but not having also voted in the 2014 governor's race. Appealed by the Tennessee Attorney General, the case ultimately made its way to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals which heard oral arguments in August of 2017. Tennessee Right to Life and YES on 1 coordinated a Friend of the Court brief containing the signatures of 8,850 Tennesseans urging the court to uphold their votes on the Amendment. Continue reading

Together, with God's help, Pro-life Tennesseans have made great strides during the past 15 years in the enactment of constitutionally-enforceable laws drafted and lobbied by Tennessee Right to Life. Among them: Pro-Life Amendment 1 to Tennessee Constitution Informed consent for women and girls considering abortion Physician-only counseling 48-hour waiting period Anti-coercion policy & required posting inside abortion facilities Sale of fetal remains prohibited Preferential treatement for Planned Parenthood stripped from state law Title X government funds redirected away from Planned Parenthood Statewide hotline for reporting abortion facility abuses Choose Life plate supporting pro-life agencies and programs Ban on dispensing RU 486 by telemedicine / skype Unborn Victims of Violence Act at all stages of gestation Viability assessment required and post-viability abortions banned Natural childbirth over abortion established as state's preference Continue reading

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE RESPONSE TO JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY'S RETIREMENT FROM U.S. SUPREME COURT WASHINGTON – In response to Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy's announcement that he will retire from the U.S. Supreme Court effective July 31, the following statement may be attributed to National Right to Life President Carol Tobias: All too often, our efforts to protect unborn children and other vulnerable humans have been overridden by judges who believe they have a right to impose their own policy preferences. We look forward to President Trump nominating a jurist who shares the view that Supreme Court justices are constrained to enforce the text and original intent of constitutional provisions, and on all other matters should defer to democratically elected lawmakers.

PRO-LIFE LAW PERMANENTLY REDIRECTS TITLE X FUNDS AWAY FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD NASHVILLE, APRIL 11, 2018 - The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization publicly thanked Governor Bill Haslam today for signing into law the Title X Prioritization Act (SB 2494 / HB 2262). The bill codifies existing policy established in 2011 by the Haslam administration which prioritizes health departments to receive Title X family planning funds rather than Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in the state. Prior to 2009, Planned Parenthood facilities received preferential treatment in the awarding of more than $1 million tax dollars annually. For decades the funds were automatically directed to Planned Parenthood without any bidding process or request for proposals from other entities. The new law permanently establishes that first priority for distribution of the funds will be given to local public health departments, the policy of the Haslam Administration since 2011. Continue reading

UPDATE: The Tennessee Senate passed SB 2494 by a 25-1-1 vote on Monday, March 5.  Pro-Life HB 2262 was passed out of House Health Committee today. The Senate companion bill, Pro-Life SB 2494 by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), will be heard in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday, February 28, at 12:30 p.m (cst).  Your voice is needed today if prioritization of Tennessee's Title X funds is to continue being directed away from Planned Parenthood. Please send your email to members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee today. Email Senate Committee Members Today! Last week the newly-elected pro-abortion governor in another state overturned pro-life funding policies of the outgoing governor and, in his first official act, restored state funding for Planned Parenthood. Tennessee must codify into law the pro-life administrative policy of Governor Haslam to ensure that future governors will be bound by funding priorities which prioritize ethical health care providers over abortion facilities. Continue reading

UPDATE: Pro-Life HB 2262 passed in the House Health Committee by a voice vote.  The bill will now be heard in the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee. URGENT: Last week the newly-elected pro-abortion governor in another state overturned pro-life funding policies of the outgoing governor and, in his first official act, restored state funding for Planned Parenthood. Tennessee must codify into law the pro-life administrative policy of Governor Haslam to ensure that future governors will be bound by funding priorities which prioritize ethical health care providers over abortion facilities. Pro-Life HB 2262 was delayed last week in Health Committee and your voice is needed today if prioritization of Tennessee's Title X funds is to continue being directed away from Planned Parenthood. Please send your email to members of the House Health Committee today.  HB 2262 by Rep. Bill Dunn will now be heard again on Tuesday, February 27, at 10:30 a.m. Click here to Email Committee Members Today! After years of focused efforts by pro-life lawmakers and principled leadership by Governor Haslam, Tennessee successfully implemented policy in 2011 which has resulted in millions of tax dollars being re-directed away from Planned Parenthood facilities in our state. Under Haslam's direction, an administrative process was established which prioritizes public health departments to receive the public funds appropriated for family planning programs rather than private non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Prior to 2011, Planned Parenthood affiliates in Tennessee received more than $1.1 million dollars annually. As Governor Haslam prepares to leave office, Tennessee Right to Life and pro-life legislators seek to make this administrative policy permanent by codifying it in state law. HB 2262 by Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) will be heard in the House Health Committee on Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 a.m. (CST)