A House panel voted to send to summer study legislation that would restrict when the Tennessee National Guard may be mobilized for federal combat operations, prompting lengthy public testimony and exchanges between lawmakers and military leaders.

Representative Renaud, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure would bar Guard deployment into federal active-duty combat "unless the United States Congress has passed an official declaration of war or has taken an official action pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the United States Constitution." He framed the proposal as a return to congressional authority over declarations of war.

Several citizens and veterans testified in favor. Samantha Zukowski, a disaster-relief volunteer, said Tennessee was left short-handed after natural disasters when Guard units were overseas: "Two years ago, when a string of tornadoes tore through Clarksville, our Tennessee National Guard was in Kuwait instead," she said.

Major General Warner Ross, the Adjutant General of Tennessee's military department, warned of unintended consequences if the state limited federal mobilization. "However well intended this legislation may be, passage will do unintended harm to our military readiness, our state's role in national security, and our ability to respond to those domestic emergencies," Ross said, adding that federal authorities could reallocate equipment and capabilities to other states.

After more than 30 minutes of discussion and several witnesses, Representative Eldridge moved to send the bill to a true summer study. The motion carried on a roll call the clerk recorded as 4 ayes and 2 noes. The committee did not adopt the bill as written; instead it referred the measure to further study and discussion.