Republican Congressman Thomas Massie voted against a crucial spending bill on Tuesday, even as US president Donald Trump attacked him on social media. The bill, aimed at preventing a government shutdown, narrowly passed 217-213, with Massie being the only Republican who opposed it.
Democrat representative Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) on the other hand, supported the bill. Golden defended his decision, arguing that a shutdown would be worse than passing a short-term budget, writes The Hill.
Who is Thomas Massie?
- Massie, 54, has represented
Kentucky ’s 4th Congressional District since 2012. - He is a strong advocate for reducing government spending and has opposed multiple budget bills, arguing they do not sufficiently address the growing federal deficit.
- Massie and Trump have had a tense history. In 2020, Trump even called for Massie to be removed from the GOP.
Trump vs Massie
Trump lashed had out at Massie in a Monday night post on Truth Social, declaring that the congressman “Should be primaried” and comparing him to former Rep. Liz Cheney, whom Trump previously targeted for voting to impeach him. “He’s just another grandstander who’s too much trouble,” Trump wrote.
.
But Massie did not back down. He responded on X (formerly Twitter) by turning Trump’s attack into a fundraising opportunity and reaffirming his decision to vote against the bill. “Unless I get a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years, I’ll be a no on the CR this week,” he wrote.
Before Trump’s attack on Monday, the congressman made it clear in a post on X that he wasn’t worried about the threat of a primary challenge.
“Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me. Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance,” he wrote.
The bill
The continuing resolution (CR) funds the government through September 30, buying Congress more time to negotiate a long-term budget. Massie, however, argued that such temporary measures only delay real fiscal responsibility.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces a tough battle. It needs at least eight Democratic votes to pass, but many in the party oppose it due to proposed budget cuts.
