Tennessee Senator Declares He's a "Strong No" on SB 2040 After Facing Criticism from Pro-Trump Ads
After a wave of pro-Trump ads urging several Tennessee state senators to oppose SB2040, one Tennessee state senator is coming forward in vigorous opposition to the bill.
State Senator Richard Briggs has become the first member of those targeted to publicly announce his opposition to the bill, declaring he will vote against SB2040.
"The ad made a huge mistake," Senator Briggs told the Blue Ridge Times exclusively, "I have always been a strong NO and always advocated against the bill."
SB 2040 is a bill that would ban Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies. Critics of the bill argue it works directly against President Trump's TrumpRx agenda, raising drug prices and limiting healthcare access for Tennesseans. They note how these consequences will occur given the bill will result in significant pharmacy closures.
Senator Briggs’ stance became known following a wave of pro-Trump TV ads running across the Tri-Cities, Chattanooga, and Knoxville areas, targeting Senator Briggs and his colleagues Rusty Crowe and Adam Lowe. All three senators are facing primary challenges. The ads warn that SB 2040 would shutter pharmacies and undermine President Trump's drug pricing agenda.
The ads come from the conservative group Shaping Health Initiatives For Tomorrow (SHIFT) and read in part: “President Trump made a promise to American families: lower drug prices, more affordable medicine, and a health care system that works for you. And Trump RX is making it a reality, but Senator Richard Briggs is jeopardizing that promise, refusing to stop Senate Bill 2040, which would gut health care access and send prescription costs through the roof.”
Briggs' opposition to SB2040 puts him in step with Tennessee voters ahead of his November reelection bid. Polling conducted by Cygnal shows voters in the state overwhelmingly support TrumpRX and are significantly less likely to back a candidate who votes for SB 2040.
Not all targeted senators are heeding the warning. When asked for comment, Senator Lowe reaffirmed his support for the bill.
"I planned to vote in support of the bill, and now, after their dirty campaigns, I have signed on as a co-sponsor," Senator Lowe said.
Senator Crowe struck a similar tone, telling WJHL that he also plans to vote for SB 2040, though he noted his constituents have been critical of his position.
"I've been getting calls from friends saying, 'Rusty what are you doing, we thought you were online with Trump in trying to lower drug prices,' and I am," Crowe said. "When they started hitting me with this thing, it made me want to vote to do the right thing even more." Crowe said he expects the bill to pass and will remain a "yes" vote when it comes to the floor.
A full Senate floor vote is the next step, though no date has been set.
