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| Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) could endanger Trump's Stimulus Bill. |
Massie is a Libertarian Republican and is part of the do-nothing House Liberty Caucuses.
Are they afraid of the truth? I’ve been told that they don’t even have 1 minute available for me to speak against this bill during the 4 hour debate. The fix is in. If this bill is so great for America, why not allow a vote on it? Why not have a real debate? #SWAMP— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 27, 2020
The Kentucky lawmaker is strongly against the bipartisan bill and is threatening to derail the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, and potentially endangering other House members in the process.
The Republican wants Congress to return back to Washington to give a "voice vote" -- a verbal exercise in which those in a favor shout yea, and those to oppose to holler nay. The loudest side would prevail.
Thursday night and Friday morning, furious lawmakers flocked back to the Capitol -- which has already been rocked by the virus with several lawmakers testing positive for COVID-19 -- because leadership was made aware that Massie may not go along with a planned voice vote that would require just a skeleton group of lawmakers to be present.
The Democrats slam the Republican lawmaker for trying to delay voting. But here's the kicker!
Former Secretary of State John Kerry gave him a nickname. He calls him a Masshole.
Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He's given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!) https://t.co/N1CNLPsZjc— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 27, 2020
Republicans are furious at the lawmaker and leading the way is Donald J. Trump.
Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity. He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous......— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
...& costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is “HELL” dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the “big picture” done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
By empowering the Radical Left Democrats, do nothing Kentucky politician @RepThomasMassie is making their War on the 2nd Amendment more and more difficult to win (But don’t worry, we will win anyway!). He is a disaster for America, and for the Great State of Kentucky!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Frustrated and angry House members are rushing back to Washington, taking rey-eye flights and driving for hours.
Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible.— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) March 27, 2020
Dear @RepThomasMassie: If you intend to delay passage of the #coronavirus relief bill tomorrow morning, please advise your 428 colleagues RIGHT NOW so we can book flights and expend ~$200,000 in taxpayer money to counter your principled but terribly misguided stunt. #thankyou— Rep. Dean Phillips (@RepDeanPhillips) March 26, 2020
Some of the Republicans came to Massie's defense.
Why is it the white nationalists one that support him?
.@RepThomasMassie is one of the most principled men in Congress & loves his country. He is defending the Constitution today by requiring a quorum. There’s nothing 3rd rate about that, @realDonaldTrump. I may miss vote if he forces roll call (flights) but it will pass. Back off. https://t.co/ms8TM3rJp8— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 27, 2020
@realDonaldTrump Mr. President. @RepThomasMassie is a good man and a solid conservative. He believes in the Constitution strongly. We won’t always agree on strategy or policy. But he doesn’t warrant this dressing down. Thomas—Hang tough brother. #CoronavirusOutbreak https://t.co/f0gydIQHTX— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 27, 2020
Massie is facing a Republican challenger in the Kentucky primary. He will face Covington lawyer Todd McMurtry, a Trump supporting agitator who vows to support him.
Massie believes the stimulus will pile more debt on the country, put small companies out of business and give Americans a reason to stay at home and not work.
But in a radio interview Thursday, Massie said the Constitution calls for a quorum to vote in the House and he had little sympathy for House members having to come back, especially after the Senate managed to pass the legislation through a normal recorded vote.
"I'm having a really hard time with this. Because they're saying, well it's hard to travel, yadda yadda yadda," Massie told radio station 55KRC Thursday.
"Well, last night, 96 out of 100 Senators voted. All we would need is 218 out of 435 to vote," he added, pointing to a section of Article I in the U.S. Constitution that states "a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business."
He suggested a way members can come back to the Capitol: "Hitch a ride with a trucker," Massie said.
There are 3.3 million Americans out of work. Most of us want to get back to work. I don't have time for lawmakers and Trump scrambling. A measly check to keep my lights on is not enough. We need to figure out how to fix this crisis with bipartisan teamwork.
Trump is a crappy president. Republicans are a bunch of fucking idiots.
Massie, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are destructive to our country. They don't care about the American people. Anything for an appearance on Rupert "Pervert" Murdoch's Fox News Channel.
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