Eight of Tennessee’s nine members of the House of Representatives were sanctioned by Russia on Wednesday in response to the U.S. sanctioning members of the Russian Duma earlier this year.
In total, 398 members of Congress were listed in the release from Russia; however, some lawmakers were not included because the country took action against them previously.
“These persons, including the leadership and chairmen of the committees of the lower house of the U.S. Congress, are included in the Russian “stop list” on an ongoing basis. Together with other current legislators, who, like Speaker N. Pelosi, were denied entry to the Russian Federation earlier, all U.S. congressmen were subjected to ‘listing’ on the basis of reciprocity,” the translated version of the statement reads. (emphasis added)
The list of Tennessee Representatives was bipartisan, though progressive firebrand Rep Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) escaped the Russian government’s ire in this newest statement from the Kremlin:
– Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02)
– Rep. Mark Green (R-TN-07)
– Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04)
– Rep. John Rose (R-TN-06)
– Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01)
– Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03)
– Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN-08)
– Jim Cooper (D-TN-05)
In addition to the sanctions, Russia promised further action against the U.S. for its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“With ongoing U.S. sanctions, further announcements of Russian countermeasures are planned in the near future, involving an increase in the number of people on the “stop list” and other retaliatory steps,” the translated version of the release added.
However, several sanctioned members were not bothered by the decision or, in some cases, described the decision as an honor.
“Breaking: I was just sanctioned by Russia. Darn, this means I can’t travel to their crappy country or invest in their worthless economy,” Burchett said.
Breaking: I was just sanctioned by Russia. Darn, this means I can’t travel to their crappy country or invest in their worthless economy. #nyet
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) April 13, 2022
“I’m proud to be sanctioned by Putin – it means our work to impose costs on his regime for their misdeeds is clearly having an impact,” added Rose.
I’m proud to be sanctioned by Putin – it means our work to impose costs on his regime for their misdeeds is clearly having an impact.
— John Rose (@JohnRoseforTN) April 14, 2022
“I’m honored these sanctions have been levied against me. I will never back down in my support for Ukraine and condemnation of Putin’s atrocities.” said Green
I’m honored these sanctions have been levied against me. I will never back down in my support for Ukraine and condemnation of Putin’s atrocities.https://t.co/0v0pWs0rEb
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) April 14, 2022
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
