Greater Chattanooga area lawmakers split on funding bill that OKs arming Syrian rebels

photo Chuck Fleischmann
photo Rep. Jim Cooper

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Republicans and Democrats forgot about party and split every which way on Wednesday as the Republican-controlled U.S. House voted on a spending bill that also gave the Obama administration approval and money to train and arm Syrian rebels.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., voted for the resolution as did three of his fellow Tennessee Republicans -- Rep. Diane Black, Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Phil Roe. They were joined by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.

Opposing the bill were Republican Reps. John Duncan and Stephen Fincher. Joining them in voting no was Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat.

The bill ensures the federal government will continue to operate beyond the Sept. 30 end of the government's fiscal year. But a temporary funding provision on President Barack Obama's plan to tackle the self-styled extremist Islamic State in the Middle East was included.

The full House vote was 273-156.

Fleischmann, a Chattanoogan, said in a statement the House "passed a responsible and fiscally sound funding measure, which will prevent a government shutdown."

He said by approving a "clean Continuing Resolution that maintains current funding levels, we have provided the American people and crucial parts of our government, such as the Armed Forces, with needed certainty."

Cooper, a Nashville Democrat, entered remarks in the Congressional Record in which he explained his no vote, saying, "I do not believe that this Amendment has a reasonable chance of achieving his [Obama's] goals. Worse, it could embroil America in another endless war. I hate ISIL [Islamic State] ... the question is whether this Amendment will 'degrade and destroy' them, to use the President's words."

Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, said Congress "has a responsibility to both keep our government running and keep the American people safe. I am pleased ... many on both sides of the aisle came together to prevent yet another government shutdown and support President Obama's plan to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS."

Among those opposing the bill was Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., who is battling cancer, was listed on the House roll call as not voting.

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