Capitol Notebook: Christmas at the Capitol, other prominent politicos visiting Nashville – The Tennessean
It’s Christmastime at the Capitol, Nashville gets some high-profile visitors — hint: They both are from the Northeast — and the nation will be getting $1 silver coins to commemorate next year’s 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
Here’s some of what you may have missed in Tennessee politics:
Blackburn at the White House
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, was at the White House this past week for the signing of a bill creating a new $1 silver coin in honor of the 100th anniversary next year of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
Blackburn, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sponsored the bill for the coin. In the House, U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., sponsored the legislation.
President Donald Trump signed the bill into law and Blackburn, among others, gathered for the signing.
Joining Blackburn, as Trump sat at the resolute desk in the Oval Office, were adviser Kellyanne Conway, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming.
Trump pointed to Cheney, who noted Wyoming was “first place on earth” where women had the right to vote.
“Pretty good right?” Trump said.
The president said the bill will celebrate “heroes” of women’s suffrage — including Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Ida B. Wells.
“My administration will always celebrate the immeasurable contributions of women,” Trump said.
Blackburn spoke and said there would be “no government expenditures” on the coin with proceeds going to charitable groups.
Trump invited various women to speak at the signing event. At one point he mistakenly referred to Liz Cheney as “Lynne Cheney,” the former second lady. Lynne Cheney is Liz’s mother.
Conway said it was “hard to imagine” It has “only been 100 years” since women could vote. Conway said she hoped to see a female president in our lifetimes. But, she turned to Trump and said, “your victory kept that job open.”
From the tip line
Speaking of Trump allies and prominent Republicans.
Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani was in Nashville this past week, the second time in recent days he’s come to Music City.
Giuliani told our reporter, who caught up with him at the airport just after his flight landed, that his trip to Nashville was strictly personal.
But he isn’t the only one. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was recently spotted at The Oak Bar in Nashville.
What else you should check out
- Rudy Giuliani says prosecutors ‘know how to contact’ him as part of any criminal investigation
- Republican lawmaker wants to rename Cordell Hull building after former Gov. Winfield Dunn
- Tennessee has collected at least $20M more than expected under IMPROVE Act; road projects to take longer, cost more
- US more likely to legalize marijuana than Tennessee, Steve Cohen says
- New Oak Ridge museum director was fired for loaning Gettysburg Address to Glenn Beck at prior job
- Taxpayers paid thousands so Peyton Manning and Bob Corker could golf with Donald Trump
- Tennessee attorney general’s wife invested in Walgreens while he handled opioid lawsuits
Christmas at the Capitol
Gov. Bill Lee will mark the holidays with his first Christmas at the Capitol event as governor. It takes place Monday at 5:30 p.m. CST and is open to the public.
From the archive
This got us thinking. We put together a little selection of Capitol Christmas tree photos from over the years. Hope you enjoy.
Don’t miss
Our latest episode of Grand Divisions, our politics and public policy podcast.
Got a tip?
Got a tip or a story we should check out? Email us at statehouse@tennessean.com.
Published 6:00 AM EST Dec 2, 2019
