A wave of frustration washed over the House floor, culminating in Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett’s abrupt departure. He walked away in visible disgust as a $90.1 billion spending bill passed, a bill he characterized as riddled with questionable allocations and a betrayal of the public trust.
Burchett’s anger ignited during attempts to amend the bill, specifically regarding the budget of the D.C. Court of Appeals. An amendment proposed by Chip Roy aimed to cut funding by 20% and eliminate salaries for the staff of certain judges, a move Burchett felt was a necessary correction to what he saw as judicial overreach.
Another amendment, championed by Navy SEAL and Representative Eli Crane, sought to defund the National Endowment for Democracy. Burchett and others view this organization as an entity that interferes in foreign affairs and potentially supports censorship and destabilizing regime change efforts.
The core of Burchett’s outrage, however, centered on the sheer volume of funds earmarked for foreign military financing – a staggering $6.15 billion. This included $1.3 billion for Egypt, $3.3 billion for Israel, and over $475 million for Jordan, among other allocations.
Burchett didn’t mince words, expressing his dismay on social media. He stated plainly that the bill wasn’t representative of the will of his constituents, accusing Congress of prioritizing “liberal causes and foreign militaries” with $90 billion of taxpayer money.
He described the defeat of the proposed amendments as deeply frustrating, highlighting the seemingly unstoppable momentum of the bill despite its problematic contents. The passage felt like a capitulation to a system prioritizing wasteful spending over responsible governance.
The allocation to Jordan, specifically funding for a border wall while the nation simultaneously engages in conflict, struck Burchett as particularly absurd. He questioned the logic of profiting from the misfortunes of others, recalling his mother’s wisdom about the ethics of such transactions.
Burchett lamented a pattern of reversing policies enacted by previous administrations, wondering where the money truly ends up and why these questions aren’t being asked. He believes a fundamental dishonesty pervades the process, leaving the American public shortchanged.
He vowed to continue voting according to his conscience, despite the prevailing currents in Congress. Burchett expressed gratitude to those who sent him to Washington, promising to remain a voice for accountability and responsible spending, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
The situation, as Burchett sees it, is profoundly “pathetic” and “disingenuous.” He believes a critical shift is needed – a move towards transparency and a genuine commitment to representing the interests of the American people, not simply maintaining the status quo.
