Tennessee Rep. John Rose joined conservative hard-liners Wednesday in opposing the current draft of the Republican megabill now moving through the House, he announced in an X posting.
He said he was opposed to a newly negotiated provision to increase the cap on the state-and-local-tax deduction at the behest of blue-state Republicans.
“Raising the SALT deduction is a bailout for Democrat Governors — paid for by red states with low taxes,” he wrote. “Tennesseans should not foot the bill for New York and California’s mismanagement.”
The announcement came as a surprise to many who have been closely watching the legislation. Rose has not been especially vocal inside the GOP conference in objecting to particular provisions of the developing bill. He is not in the House Freedom Caucus, nor has he previously raised concerns about Medicaid cuts or other controversial portions of the bill.
His announced his opposition as key conservative hard-liners wrapped up a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders.
Rose is running for Tennessee governor in a potentially crowded Republican primary that could also include Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Trump’s endorsement is likely to be influential in that race.
