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Bible

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NASHVILLE -- Following the second straight day of often-fiery debate, the state House voted 55-38 today to make the "Holy Bible" the official book of Tennessee.



As concerns about the measure's constitutionality and church-state questions continued to surface, Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, offered what he thought was a reasonable compromise through an amendment.



It would have designated President Andrew Jackson's Bible as the state's official book.



The amendment was killed on a 48-11 vote.



Debate lasted over an hour on the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station.



The Bible bill is expected to come up on the Senate floor on Thursday. Nineteen senators are co-sponsoring the measure there. It takes 17 votes to pass a bill into law.



Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery this week issued a legal opinion saying the bill violates both the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions.

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