NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A bill seeking to block the U.S. Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling in Tennessee has been defeated in a subcommittee of the state House over concerns about nullifying federal rulings.
The five-member panel defeated the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Mark Pody on a voice vote on Wednesday.
Republican Rep. Mike Carter of Chattanooga said that while he disagrees with the high court's ruling, he considered the bill to turn back the ruling a step too far. In Carter's words: "I equate nullification with anarchy."
The state Legislature estimated that the bill could cost the state $8.5 billion in federal Medicaid and welfare money if Tennessee were to deny services to same-sex couples in violation of the Supreme Court ruling.