Tennessee Republican's fight against cousin marriage ban ends in massive defeat

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3. ...."Jernigan said marriage remains legal in Tennessee to this day due to a 1960 decision by Tennessee's attorney genera

This is from another article:

Bill to make marrying your first cousin illegal in Tennessee passes but not without a fight
Two Republican lawmakers voted against making marriage between first cousins illegal in Tennessee.

https://www.wsmv.com/2024/04/11/bill-make-marrying-your-first-cousin-illegal-tennessee-passes-not-without-fight/


...............The bill banning marriage between first cousins was later passed in the House.

Two Republican lawmakers, Bulso and Rep. Monty Fritts, who represents Kingston, Tennessee, were the only legislators to vote down the bill.

The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed.

House Bill 2041 was initially filed for introduction by Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Old Hickory. Jernigan said marriage remains legal in Tennessee to this day due to a 1960 decision by Tennessee’s attorney general that marriage between first cousins did not violate a statute prohibiting marriage between relatives.

“I’m hoping in 2024 we can close this loophole,” Jernigan said.