Republican lawmakers may this week try to override the veto of a bill that sought to name the Bible the official state book of Tennessee.
Governor Bill Haslam last week used his personal veto to stop the bill from passing, stating concerns that it "trivialises the Bible".
However according to AP, supporters of the bill are expected to announce their intention to override Haslam's veto on the House floor this evening. A vote is then likely to take place on Wednesday.
Haslam, a committed Christian, previously said the bill would violate the federal and state constitutions.
"If we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, then we shouldn't be recognising it only as a book of historical and economic significance," Haslam said.
"If we are recognising the Bible as a sacred text, then we are violating the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Tennessee by designating it as the official state book. Our founders recognised that when the church and state were combined, it was the church that suffered in the long run."
The sponsor of the bill, Jerry Sexton, immediately filed to override the veto. Each house must vote against it by a majority for the bill now to go through.
Haslam told AP that it's possible a number of House members will change their minds and support his veto.
"I've had several members say, 'You know I voted for it, and I think if I had a chance to do it again, I would vote differently,'" he said.
"But I certainly don't want to project what people's votes will be."
According to The Tennesseean, the last time a veto override was successful in the state was in 2010.
