Chuck Fleischmann Made Financial Contribution To Obama's Inauguration

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) and his wife donated a combined $605 to President Barack Obama's inaugural committee in January, making Fleischmann the only congressman from Tennessee from either party to contribute at least $200 to the president's inauguration, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Fleischmann donated $300, and his wife, Brenda, contributed $305. The donations, according to a Fleischmann aide, were made "in the spirit of democracy," and covered the cost of tickets to a "bipartisan" inaugural event.

The donations may come as a surprise, as Fleischmann has actively opposed Obama's positions in the past. In 2012, the representative wrote a blog post calling the remarks the president made during a speech in Roanoke, Va., on small business, an "arrogant attack." In April, Fleischmann criticized Obama's overdue "dud of a budget" on his congressional blog.

Fleischmann's predecessor, former Rep. Zach Swamp (R-Tenn.), said he never contributed to an inaugural committee during his 16 years in office.