Tennessee Rep. John Rose has warned that Democrats are putting Americans at risk by refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security during an ongoing government shutdown, particularly amid escalating conflicts in Iran.
“The Democrats seem determined to try to protect illegal aliens and use American citizens as pawns in that exercise,” Rose stated Wednesday. “We’re in our third shutdown in five months, and this one now into 26 days at a critical time for this country. They’re using the American people, putting them in harm’s way to gain leverage.”
Rose also addressed election security concerns, expressing frustration that the Senate has not advanced legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote. He noted that the House has twice passed measures including the SAVE Act and the SAVE America Act aimed at tightening election integrity requirements.
“It’s disappointing to see the Senate not take this up,” Rose said. “Obviously, we could blame Democrats for that. And I do, because this issue is supported by the overwhelming majority—over 80% of Americans and over 70% of Democrats themselves—supporting legislation to restore sanity to our elections.”
The Tennessee lawmaker emphasized that the proposed laws ensure only U.S. citizens participate in elections. “Just making sure that those who vote are U.S. citizens, something the vast majority of Americans agree with,” Rose said. “Why the Democrats won’t allow a vote in the Senate, why Leader Thune won’t force a vote in the Senate really defies me.”
Rose further commented on the upcoming Georgia special election to fill the seat previously held by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, which is set for a runoff between Trump-endorsed District Attorney Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris.
“Absolutely, it’s a safe seat,” Rose said. “Obviously, in the first election, there was a lot of fragmenting of the vote. But I think this is a deep red district and the Republican will win.”
