Rose discusses Tennessee tornado damage on House floor
U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Cookeville) delivered remarks on the House floor about the deadly storms that hit Tennessee on Tuesday morning.
Here are Rose’s remarks as prepared:
Madam Speaker, today I rise with my colleague from Tennessee, Mr. Cooper.
Earlier today, a devastating tornado tore through Middle Tennessee, the area I represent and call home.
While rescue workers are still in the critical phase of sorting through debris and accounting for those who are still missing, we know already many lives were lost and dozens of people were rushed to emergency rooms.
I and countless Tennesseans are lifting those people up in prayer.
I am working diligently alongside my fellow Representatives, the Administration, Governor Lee, Senators Alexander and Blackburn, and emergency officials to get much needed federal aid to the affected areas.
Homes, schools, businesses, churches, farms, and other buildings and numerous communities have suffered serious and, in some cases, overwhelming damage.
I stand today with those affected by this disaster and pledge every effort will be made to give shelter to those who need it, give care to those who are hurt, and give assistance in the critical effort to recover and rebuild.
Trump says he will visit Tennessee on Friday following deadly storm
President Donald Trump says he plans to visit Tennessee on Friday in the aftermath of a deadly storm that left at least 25 dead.
“I want to send my warm wishes to the great people of Tennessee in the wake of the horrible and very vicious tornado that killed at least 19 people and injured many more,” Trump said in remarks at the National Association of Counties meeting in Washington on Tuesday.
President Trump says he will visit Tennessee on Friday amid news that 19 people have been killed after devastating tornadoes ripped through the state: "Our hearts are full of sorrow for the lives that were lost." https://t.co/557TDIHmKi pic.twitter.com/UJ3cvW8m8D
— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2020
“It’s a vicious thing, those tornadoes, I’ve seen many of them over a three-year period and I’ve gotten to see the results and they are vicious,” Trump said. “If you’re in their path, bad things happen.”
25 killed in Middle Tennessee tornadoes, legislature resumes regular business
At least 25 people have been killed in severe weather that tore through Middle Tennessee early Tuesday, including 14 in Putnam County alone.
The start of Super Tuesday voting was delayed by an hour in Nashville after a overnight tornado touched down in the city causing widespread damage. In addition to the Putnam County fatalities, three died in Wilson County, two in Davidson County, and one in Benton County.
I cannot begin to describe the devastation in Putnam County. Pray for everyone involved. @GovBillLee @RyanWilliamsTN @CSexton25 pic.twitter.com/2GOo0JIBbv
— Sen. Paul Bailey (@PaulBaileyforTN) March 3, 2020
The storm did major damage to the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville, just north of the state Capitol complex. A power outage at the Cordell Hull Building led legislative leaders to cancel all morning committee meetings. The cancellations meant a week-long delay of Senate hearings on an effort to cut the privilege tax for brokers, doctors, and attorneys.
But a decision to resume activities at 1 p.m. meant bills could still get hearings on implementing sweeping restrictions on access to abortions in Tennessee and allowing adults to carry firearms in public without a permit. Legislation to grant 12 weeks of paid leave for state employees to care for a new child or sick family member was put off by a week.
#tnleg will resume business at 1pm. The Commerce committee will meet at 1pm and Judiciary at 3pm in @tnsenate.
— Adam Kleinheider (@flacknally) March 3, 2020
Gov. Bill Lee ordered all non-essential state employees in Middle Tennessee to stay home.
“We have activated the State Emergency Operations Center and are engaged with emergency and local officials throughout the affected areas,” he said in a statement. “Please join Maria and me in praying for the victims, their families, and all those tragically affected by this storm.”
Secretary of State Tre Hargett ordered the polls to open an hour late in Nashville, but they are still scheduled to close at the normal time of 7 p.m. Central. Nashville voters whose polling places were damaged by the storm can vote in alternate locations outlined here.
One heavily damaged building was the Basement East, a music venue in East Nashville that had been the site of a “Berniefest” fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Staffers cleaning up after the show huddled in the basement as the storm tore off the roof and destroyed a large exterior deck, according to reports.
The Monday evening event at the Basement East, which was heavily damaged by a tornado in Nashville on March 3, 2020.
