Protecting Life and Religious Freedom in the 114th General Assembly

The values that define District 38 are rooted in faith and a deep respect for the sanctity of human life. These are not just personal convictions for me. They are the bedrock of the community I am honored to represent, and they shaped my work throughout the 114th General Assembly.

On the issue of life, we strengthened protections for pregnant women and unborn children, ensuring that when a woman chooses life, the support she needs is available to her. We expanded access to prenatal screenings that allow doctors to detect potential complications early, giving both mothers and babies the best possible outcomes.

We added aggravating circumstances that allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in cases of child rape. This is not a comfortable topic, but it reflects a clear moral conviction: the most innocent and vulnerable among us deserve the full protection of the law.

We passed the Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act, protecting children from the predatory behavior that precedes abuse. We created new protections for children in foster care. We invested tens of millions of dollars in the Department of Children's Services. Every one of these actions reflects a belief that human life, especially the lives of those who cannot protect themselves, has inherent worth and dignity.

On religious freedom, we protected healthcare workers' right to practice according to their conscience and their faith. No nurse or doctor should ever have to choose between their livelihood and their deeply held beliefs. This legislation ensures that people of faith can serve in the healthcare profession with their moral integrity intact.

We also passed legislation increasing penalties for anyone who intentionally disrupts a religious service or damages the property of a house of worship. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship are sacred spaces. They deserve to be protected, and those who violate that sanctity should face serious consequences.

We required public schools to ensure students can study the historical influence of Biblical values in America, and we strengthened instruction on America's founding principles. Understanding where we came from is essential to knowing where we are going.

Faith is not just a Sunday morning activity for the people of District 38. It is the foundation of how we live, how we treat each other, and how we raise our children. I will always stand up for the freedom to live according to that faith, and I will always fight to protect the lives that faith calls us to value.