The Tennessee legislature approved Gov. Bill Lee's signature education initiative during a special legislative session.

Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation drastically expanding the number of families who can use taxpayer money on private schools regardless of income

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two Republican lawmakers who voted against Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher measure are making their voices heard after they say they were silenced during the debate on the House floor.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who has criticized the federal government for "excessive overreach," said the U.S. Education Department should be eliminated during Donald Trump's second term as president. (Courtesy TN.gov) The House and the Senate passed the Education Freedom Act, legislation championed by Gov. Bill Lee.

The legislature’s Republican supermajority left little room for debate, pushing through millions of dollars and sprawling policy changes in a special session that lasted just four days.

The bill seeks to criminalize local officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants along with other measures in an effort to support Donald Trump's enforcement policies.