Tennessee lawmakers send bill to Gov. Lee's desk to outlaw first-cousin marriages

The Tennessee Legislature has voted in favor of sending a bill to GOP Gov. Bill Lee to outlaw marriages between first cousins.

The House voted 75-2 on the legislation Thursday and the Senate approved it with no objections, according to NBC News. 

State Republican Rep. Gino Bulso tried to offer an amendment to the legislation to allow an exception – that first-cousin marriages should be allowed if the couple seeks counseling from a genetic counselor.

Lawmakers ended up voting against the amendment. 

“I hope it’s safe to say that in 2024, we can close this loophole,” Democratic Rep. Darren Jernigan said after the vote. 

As of now it is not clear when Lee will take action on the bill.