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Rep. Rose's No Vote on $40B Bill is a Vote of No Confidence in the Biden Administration

May 10, 2022

Washington, DC—U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-6) voted against H.R. 7691, a nearly $40 billion spending bill that was made available to Members fewer than six hours before a scheduled vote.

Late last month, President Biden asked Congress to appropriate $33 billion to help Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russian aggression. Democratic leaders released a final bill Tuesday afternoon, nearly two weeks later, with a price tag of $39.8 billion, again, hours before Members were expected to vote on the legislation.

U.S. Rep. John Rose released the following statement:

"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 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."

Background:

The original $33 billion proposal is almost equal to the amount allocated to the Department of Justice every year. It is more than the annual budgets for the Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, and Environmental Protection Agency combined. This legislation adds an additional $7 billion to President Biden's original request.

Rep. Rose voted "Yes" on Rep. Victoria Spartz's resolution, H. Res. 956, expressing the unequivocal support of the U.S. House of Representatives for Ukraine's sovereignty and demanding an immediate cease-fire and full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. He also voted "Yes" on the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which allows for the timely delivery of military assistance loaned or leased to Ukraine. Other actions the Congressman has taken in support of Ukraine include: voting "Yes" on the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act, the Axis Act, the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, and the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his second term representing Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties as well as portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney, and currently serves on the Financial Services Committee.