Carrie Underwood’s Twitter campaign against a new “ag gag” bill has been attacked by Tennessee rep Andy Holt .
The country singer has been vocal in her opposition to an “ag gag” bill currently heading to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. The new bill would mean Tennessee journalists have 24 hours to hand over to authorities undercover footage of a farm or livestock operation.
Underwood took to Twitter last week to say:
“Shame on TN lawmakers for passing the Ag Gag bill. If Gov. Bill Haslam signs this, he needs to expect me at his front door. Who’s with me?”
Critics of the bill, otherwise known as the Livestock Cruelty Prevention Act, say it would prevent journalists from exposing animal abuse, unsafe working conditions, and/or environmental problems on industrial farms. Supporters argue it would protect the privacy of farmers.
Tennessee lawmaker Andy Holt falls firmly in the supporting camp and suggests Underwood should stick to her profession of choice. In an interview with WSMV in Nashville, the Tennessee rep says:
“I would say that if Carrie Underwood will stick to singing, I’ll stick to lawmaking.”
In an interview with WSMV-TV in Nashville, Holt talked about Underwood’s Twitter stance, saying, “I would say that if Carrie Underwood will stick to singing, I’ll stick to lawmaking.”
Underwood fired back at Holt’s comments on Twitter, pointing out that she had a right to express political views:
I should stick to singing? Wow…sorry, I’m just a tax paying citizen concerned for the safety of my family. #NoAgGag wsmv.com/story/22027811…
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 20, 2013
What do you think of Andy Holt’s dismissal of Carrie Underwood’s views?