Career Timeline of Thomas Massie: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Thomas Massie, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Thomas Massie is an American politician and engineer serving as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district since 2012. A Republican, his district encompasses much of northeastern Kentucky, including areas near Cincinnati and Louisville. He is known for his conservative views and often votes against party leadership.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1973: War Powers Act of 1973

In 2019, Thomas Massie signed a letter to Trump requesting that he invoke the War Powers Act of 1973.

1990: Massie introduces Safe Students Act to repeal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990

In 2022, Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 7415, the "Safe Students Act", which would repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (GFSZA), effectively repealing the federal ban on guns in school zones and allowing state and local governments and school boards to set their own firearms policies.

1993: Founded SensAble Devices Inc.

In 1993, Thomas Massie and his wife founded SensAble Devices Inc., a company that allowed users to feel digital objects on a screen. He also completed his bachelor's degree in the same year.

1996: Reincorporated SensAble Technologies

In 1996, SensAble Devices Inc. was reincorporated as SensAble Technologies, Inc., after partner Bill Aulet joined.

2001: Military Force Authorization

In 2001, Thomas Massie supported legislation to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001. He argued that it is too broad and that Congress should reclaim its constitutional right to declare war.

2003: Sold SensAble Technologies

In 2003, Thomas Massie sold SensAble Technologies, Inc., a company he founded.

2010: Elected Judge Executive of Lewis County

In 2010, Thomas Massie ran for and won the position of Judge Executive of Lewis County, Kentucky.

December 2011: Davis Announces Retirement

In December 2011, Congressman Geoff Davis announced his decision to retire from his seat in Kentucky's 4th congressional district.

2011: Judge-Executive of Lewis County

In 2011, Thomas Massie became the judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky.

January 10, 2012: Announced Candidacy for Congress

On January 10, 2012, Thomas Massie announced his candidacy for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.

May 22, 2012: Won Republican Nomination

On May 22, 2012, Thomas Massie won the Republican nomination for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.

July 1, 2012: Resigned as Lewis County Judge-Executive

On July 1, 2012, Thomas Massie resigned from his position as Lewis County Judge-Executive.

July 31, 2012: Davis Resigns from Congress

On July 31, 2012, Congressman Geoff Davis resigned from office.

August 1, 2012: Endorsed as Party Nominee

On August 1, 2012, the Republican Party committee endorsed Thomas Massie as their nominee for Kentucky's 4th Congressional district.

November 13, 2012: Sworn into Congress

On November 13, 2012, Thomas Massie was sworn in as a U.S. Representative, gaining seniority in the House freshman class.

2012: Continued role as Judge-Executive of Lewis County

In 2012, Thomas Massie continued his role as judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky, before joining Congress.

2012: Elected to Congress

In 2012, Thomas Massie was elected as the United States representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district as a member of the Republican Party.

May 2013: Voted Against Stolen Valor Act

In May 2013, Thomas Massie voted against the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

December 2013: Voted Against Undetectable Firearms Act

In December 2013, Thomas Massie was the only congressman to vote against the Undetectable Firearms Act.

2013: Introduced Industrial Hemp Farming Act and testified before Kentucky Senate

In 2013, Thomas Massie introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act and testified before the Kentucky Senate regarding the issue of legalizing industrial hemp cultivation.

2013: Massie introduces Justice Safety Valve Act

In 2013, Thomas Massie introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act to provide judges with greater sentencing flexibility.

2013: Voted for Justin Amash for Speaker of the House

In 2013, despite being a Republican, Thomas Massie voted for Justin Amash instead of the Republican Party's nominee for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

March 2014: Voted against Israel strategic partnership bill

In March 2014, Thomas Massie voted against a bill to name Israel an American strategic partner due to concerns about subsidizing foreign green energy companies.

May 2014: Objected to Jack Nicklaus Gold Medal Vote

In May 2014, Thomas Massie objected to a voice vote to award golf star Jack Nicklaus a gold medal, demanding a roll call vote.

June 2014: Named "Mr. No" by Politico

By mid-June 2014, Thomas Massie had voted "no" at least 324 times in the 113th Congress, leading Politico to name him "Mr. No".

2014: Massie introduces Milk Freedom Act and Interstate Milk Freedom Act

In 2014, Thomas Massie introduced the Milk Freedom Act and the Interstate Milk Freedom Act, a pair of bills that would allow the transportation of raw milk across state borders.

2014: Called for release of redacted 9/11 report pages

In 2014, Thomas Massie joined Representatives Walter B. Jones and Stephen Lynch at a press conference to call for the release of the 28 redacted pages of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.

2014: Massie sponsors amendment to stop warrantless 'backdoor' searches

In 2014, Thomas Massie sponsored an amendment to stop warrantless "backdoor" searches of U.S. citizens' online data, which passed the House. The amendment also prohibited the NSA or CIA from requesting companies to install surveillance backdoors in their products.

2014: Sponsored hemp-related amendments

In 2014, Thomas Massie sponsored hemp-related amendments that were approved by the House, furthering efforts to legalize industrial hemp cultivation.

January 2015: Voted for Ted Yoho for Speaker of the House

In January 2015, Thomas Massie voted for Ted Yoho instead of the Republican Party's nominee for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

October 2015: Voted for Dan Webster for Speaker of the House

In October 2015, Thomas Massie voted for Dan Webster instead of the Republican Party's nominee for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

2015: Introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act

In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, which would require the Comptroller General to conduct a full examination of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve banks.

2015: Massie introduces PRIME Act to ease meat sale regulations

In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act to ease federal regulations regarding the sale of meat within state borders.

2015: Massie introduces Surveillance State Repeal Act

In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Surveillance State Repeal Act, a bill that sought to repeal the PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act. He also joined with Representative Justin Amash in an effort to ensure the expiration of certain provisions of the PATRIOT Act.

2015: Sponsored hemp-related amendments

In 2015, Thomas Massie sponsored hemp-related amendments that were approved by the House, furthering efforts to legalize industrial hemp cultivation.

2015: Massie votes present on Iran nuclear agreement

In 2015, Thomas Massie voted "present" on the Iran nuclear agreement, the only member of the House to do so and the only Republican not to vote against it.

2015: Letter to Trump to end the Saudi-led coalition's armed conflict against Yemen

In 2019, Thomas Massie was one of nine lawmakers to sign a letter to Trump requesting a meeting with him and urging him to end unauthorized US military participation in the Saudi-led coalition's armed conflict against Yemen's Houthi forces, initiated in 2015 by the Obama administration.

November 2016: Voted Against Iran Sanctions Extension

In November 2016, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote against an extension of U.S. sanctions against Iran.

2016: Wrote to Obama urging declassification of 9/11 report pages

In 2016, Thomas Massie joined Representatives Walter B. Jones and Stephen Lynch in writing to Obama, urging him to declassify the redacted pages of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.

2016: Massie votes against extending sanctions on Iran

In 2016, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote against extending sanctions on Iran.

February 2017: Introduced Bill to Abolish Department of Education

In February 2017, Thomas Massie introduced a bill to abolish the United States Department of Education.

April 2017: Expressed Skepticism Over Assad's Role in Chemical Attack

In April 2017, Thomas Massie expressed skepticism over the role of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the 2017 Khan Shaykhun chemical attack.

May 2017: Voted Against North Korea Sanctions

In May 2017, Thomas Massie was the sole House member to vote against sanctions on North Korea.

July 2017: Opposed Russia, Iran, and North Korea Sanctions Bill

In July 2017, Thomas Massie opposed a bill to impose new economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

December 29, 2017: Voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

On December 29, 2017, Thomas Massie voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

2017: Criticized Republican efforts to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act

In 2017, Thomas Massie criticized Republican efforts to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, stating that the efforts fell "far short of our promise to repeal Obamacare".

2017: Voted for Dan Webster for Speaker of the House

In 2017, Thomas Massie voted for Dan Webster instead of the Republican Party's nominee for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

2017: Massie votes against new sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea

In 2017, Thomas Massie was one of three House members to vote against a bill to impose new sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

October 2018: Spoke at John Birch Society Anniversary

In October 2018, Thomas Massie spoke at the John Birch Society’s 60th anniversary celebration.

March 26, 2019: Voted to Override Trump's Veto on National Emergency Declaration

On March 26, 2019, Thomas Massie voted to override Trump's veto of a measure unwinding Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border.

April 10, 2019: Called Kerry's Degree Pseudoscience

On April 10, 2019, during John Kerry's testimony, Thomas Massie called Kerry's political science degree a "pseudoscience degree" and referred to Kerry's climate change position as "pseudoscience."

July 2019: Voted Against House Resolution Opposing Boycott of Israel

In July 2019, Thomas Massie was the only Republican among 17 members of Congress to vote against a House resolution opposing efforts to boycott Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.

November 2019: Sole No Vote on Hong Kong Human Rights Act

In November 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole "no" vote in Congress on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019.

November 2019: Massie votes against Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

In November 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

December 2019: Massie votes against UIGHUR Act condemning treatment of Chinese Uyghurs

In December 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole member of Congress to vote against the UIGHUR Act condemning the treatment of Chinese Uyghurs.

December 2019: Sole No Vote on UIGHUR Act

In December 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole vote against the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act.

2019: Massie introduces the Second Amendment Protection Act

During the 2019-2020 session, Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 2071, the "Second Amendment Protection Act", which would lift the federal prohibition on medical marijuana patients from owning or possessing firearms.

2019: Massie helps introduce Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act

In 2019, Thomas Massie helped introduce the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act to reform federal asset forfeiture policies, which he criticized as "legal robbery".

2019: Signed Letter to Trump on Congressional Authorization

In 2019, Thomas Massie signed a letter to Trump asserting the need to rein in the use of force beyond congressional authorization and seek a political solution to involvement in Afghanistan.

2019: Massie supports legislation to repeal military force authorization

In 2019, Thomas Massie supported legislation to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001, arguing that it is too broad and that Congress should reclaim its constitutional right to declare war. He also supported efforts to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, and introduced a bill in 2019 to clarify that no authority exists for military action against Iran.

2019: Voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House

In 2019, Thomas Massie voted for Jim Jordan instead of the Republican Party's nominee for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

2019: Massie opposes resolution condemning the BDS movement

In 2019, Thomas Massie was the only Republican House member to vote against condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, stating that he does not support "federal efforts to condemn any type of private boycott."

2019: Massie opposes act refusing to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea

In 2019, Thomas Massie was the only member of Congress to oppose an act that refused to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.

March 27, 2020: Massie Forces House members return during COVID-19 pandemic

On March 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas Massie threatened a quorum call, forcing members of the House to return to Washington for an in-person vote on the $2.2 trillion aid package, which had passed the Senate 96-0. He argued he was preventing the republic from dying by unanimous consent in an empty chamber but received criticism for endangering members of Congress.

April 2020: Massie votes against Paycheck Protection Program funding

In April 2020, Thomas Massie was one of five House members to vote against the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which added $320 billion of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program.

July 2020: Massie argues against mask mandates, faces antisemitism allegations

In July 2020, Thomas Massie argued against face mask mandates and compulsory vaccinations. He faced allegations of antisemitism after comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust, later deleting the tweet.

2020: Massie introduces the Second Amendment Protection Act

2020: Voted against Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020

In 2020, Thomas Massie voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorized the Department of Homeland Security to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.

2020: Massie votes against Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

In 2020, Thomas Massie was one of only three House members to vote against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

July 2021: Voted Against ALLIES Act

In July 2021, Thomas Massie voted against the bipartisan ALLIES Act.

September 2021: Only Republican to Vote Against Funding for Israel's Iron Dome

In September 2021, Thomas Massie was the only Republican to vote against $1 billion of funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

December 2021: Sole No Vote on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

In December 2021, Thomas Massie was the sole vote against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

2021: Massie votes against funding for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system

In 2021, Thomas Massie joined eight Democratic representatives in voting against $1 billion in funding for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system, citing concerns about the national debt.

2021: Massie votes against measure condemning Myanmar coup d'état

In 2021, Thomas Massie was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état.

May 2022: Massie votes against resolution denouncing antisemitism

In May 2022, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House of Representatives to vote against a non-binding resolution denouncing antisemitism and opposition to Israel, stating he opposed the bill due to its promotion of censorship.

2022: Massie introduces Safe Students Act

2022: Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022

In 2022, Thomas Massie voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022.

2022: Massie votes with Biden on the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022

In 2022, during the 117th Congress, Thomas Massie voted with President Joe Biden's stated position on the first introduction of H.R.3967, the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022.

October 2023: Received votes for Speaker of the House

In October 2023, Thomas Massie received votes for Speaker of the House.

October 2023: Massie opposes House resolution supporting Israel's military actions in Gaza

In October 2023, Thomas Massie was the only Republican to vote against a House resolution guaranteeing U.S. support for Israel's military actions in Gaza.

November 2023: Massie opposes resolution affirming Israel's right to exist

In November 2023, Thomas Massie was the only member of Congress to oppose a resolution affirming Israel's right to exist and equating anti-Zionism to antisemitism.

March 2024: Massie votes against resolution condemning the kidnapping of children from Ukraine

In March 2024, Thomas Massie voted against House Resolution 149 condemning "the wrongful and illegal kidnapping of children from Ukraine" by Russia.

April 16, 2024: Massie co-sponsors motion to oust House speaker

On April 16, 2024, Thomas Massie co-sponsored a motion to vacate filed by Marjorie Taylor Greene in an attempt to oust House speaker Mike Johnson.

May 16, 2024: Introduced the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act

On May 16, 2024, Thomas Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act, which aims to abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks.

July 2024: Massie boycotts Netanyahu's address to Congress

In July 2024, Thomas Massie boycotted Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress, calling it "political theater"; he was the only Republican to do so.

July 2024: Massie co-moderates third-party presidential debate

In July 2024, Thomas Massie co-moderated a presidential debate for third-party candidates held by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation.

2024: Endorsed Ron DeSantis for president

In 2024, Thomas Massie endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president, citing DeSantis's leadership qualities and respect for the Constitution.

March 26, 2025: Supreme Court disagrees with Massie on gun control

On March 26, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a 7–2 opinion authored by Justice Gorsuch, disagreed with Massie and ended that "200+ years."

July 2025: Massie introduces petition for Epstein client list release

In July 2025, Thomas Massie introduced a discharge petition alongside Representative Ro Khanna to force the release of the Jeffrey Epstein client list, resulting in further criticism from President Trump, who called Massie an "Embarrassment to Kentucky."

2025: Massie votes against bills, faces primary challenge

In 2025, Thomas Massie voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, arguing they were not fiscally conservative. Consequently, Trump announced his support and funding for a primary challenger against Massie.

2025: Voted against the Senate-approved version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

In 2025, Thomas Massie was one of two Republicans who voted against the Senate-approved version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

2025: Voted against re-election of Mike Johnson as Speaker

In 2025, Thomas Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the re-election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, after others changed their votes.