Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06), alongside 57 other Republicans, voted against authorizing an additional $40 billion in assistance for Ukraine.
According to Rose, he did not have confidence in the Biden administration to properly oversee the disbursement of the funds, leading to his opposition.
The $40 billion price tag is even more than the original $33 billion request from Biden.
“I support our efforts to assist Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty from Russian aggression; however, the folks of Middle Tennessee that sent me to Washington [entrusted me] to ensure their tax dollars are being spent wisely,” Rep. Rose said. “After President Biden’s disastrous and deadly Afghanistan withdrawal, I have no confidence in the Biden Administration’s ability to tactically disperse $40 billion in aid to Ukraine that we don’t even have an answer for how we’ll pay for it. Members should be allowed more time to ensure the Biden Administration is being held accountable and that proper legislative oversight has occurred before passing a bill that costs more than the entire annual budget of the U.S. Department of Justice.”
However, the lawmaker’s office noted his previous support for a host of measures backing Ukraine amid Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the country. For example, he voted for a House resolution that “demands an immediate cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory and expresses unequivocal support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“I am proud to stand with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, who are courageously fighting against power-hungry dictator Vladimir Putin. So much tragedy and loss could have been avoided in Ukraine if we had any real leadership in the White House,” Rose said previously during a House floor speech.
In addition to Rose, Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), and Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) opposed the measure.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “John Rose” by John Rose.Â
Congressman Rose, Thank you for voting against the $40 billion package to Ukraine. It isn’t like we have money to throw away when our southern border is in chaos and a looming food shortage along with inflation and the closure of the largest producer of baby formula for no reason has been prevented from reopening by the FDA not to mention the highest inflation rate since Jimmy Carter. Joe Biden is on his way to making Jimmy Carter look good. We need to take care of our own borders. We should allow the EU to aid Ukraine. It isn’t that we haven’t help supply Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid but we have troubles of our own.
Sincerely, Leslie Kelly
I am pleased with my representation in Congress by Mr. Rose. Unfortunately this appears to be a time when standing on a firm principle could have cost many lives. The problem (root cause as Kacklin’ Kamala would say) is the total lack of spending management and transparency exhibited by whichever political party has control at the moment. In other words, I have virtually no faith that the Swamp GOP will do any better should they gain control of Congress after the upcoming elections. I hope that they prove me wrong. Unfortunately the same can be said for the GOP-controlled state government of Tennessee.
As one of his constituents, I 100% appreciate and support this vote! John’s statements describing the reasoning behind his vote exactly parallel my thoughts on the whole Ukraine issue. Except that mine might not have been fit for publication. We support the free people of Ukraine, but not the crooked politicians on both sides!
And FWIW – since his first election in 2018, John Rose has the most conservative voting record of all Tennessee US House members!
Thank you! America and her citizens first! We have given Ukraine 13.6Billion in March. How much have other countries given to Ukraine?
I think he made the right choice.
I extremely disappointed in my rep, Dr. Mark Green, for voting for this irresponsible bill for Ukraine. He has lost my vote. The house received the bill at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon and voted on this that evening. Did Green, Kustoff or Fleischmann even read the bill? Just more graft for a country that isn’t our ally and is as corrupt as Russia.