Tennessee GOP is willing to reject millions in funding, if it avoids complying with federal strings

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI
Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican leaders are escalating their calls to reject millions of federal dollars rather than comply with requirements over LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access and other hot-button issues. Already this year, the Volunteer State has rebuffed federal dollars designed to prevent and treat HIV and money that would help clinics serving low-income women. Now, GOP lawmakers are talking about cutting off nearly $1.8 billion in federal education dollars. While States declining to accept federal funding isn’t new, the spike in GOP state leaders willing to walk away from federal dollars over disagreements on LGBTQ+ rights, abortion and other hot button issues is a new development that some experts say is cause for concern.