Rep. Tim Burchett accused House Republican leadership of surrendering leverage to Democrats after a committee dispute blocked amendments tied to regulatory cuts.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett sharply criticized House leadership Thursday after walking out of a committee meeting, accusing members of his own party of cutting a private agreement with Democrats that prevented Republicans from advancing amendments aimed at reducing federal regulations.
Burchett delivered the remarks outside the meeting room in an emotional exchange captured on video, arguing that Republicans were failing to govern as the majority party despite controlling the House.
In comments circulated online by Eric Daugherty, Burchett said Republicans had abandoned opportunities to move conservative priorities because Democratic objections were allowed to halt the amendment process.
“I just left the committee. We had some amendments that were cutting regulations—things that we, as Republicans, should do,” Burchett said. “Because of backroom deals, they were cut. They won’t allow any amendments on the bill because one Democrat didn’t agree to it.”
Burchett warned that Republicans risked losing voter confidence by failing to fully exercise their majority power in Congress.
“So here we are in the majority, and we’re not allowed to do that,” he continued. “And I’ll guarantee you, when the Democrats are in the majority—which they very much could be because of this kind of garbage—we’re going to regret it.”
The congressman said the Republican conference was wasting a political advantage given to it by voters.
“Y’all have extended us an incredible gift, and we’re going to blow it because we’re not acting like we’re in the majority,” Burchett said. “We’ve got an opportunity. It’s not sexy—it deals with bridges and things—but the amendment did matter. And we allow the Democrats to tell us what to do. It’s just unbelievable.”
Burchett also condemned the broader culture in Washington, saying lawmakers lacked the willingness to confront entrenched political practices.
“At some point, we’re going to have to get some guts,” he said. “This town is crooked as a dog’s leg, and I’m disgusted.”
The Tennessee lawmaker closed his remarks by thanking supporters for sending him to Congress and pledging to continue publicly challenging decisions made behind closed doors.
“So thank y’all for sending me here,” Burchett said. “I really am glad you sent me here. This kind of stuff—I want to fight, and I’ll let them have it.”
The video posted to X showed Burchett leaving the committee meeting visibly frustrated while accusing Republican leadership of allowing Democrats to dictate procedural decisions despite the GOP’s control of the chamber. In the accompanying post, Daugherty wrote that Burchett “just angrily STORMED OUT of a committee meeting saying a backroom deal was cut to let Democrats control what they do.”
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