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, notably the Cincinnati area's Kentucky side and Louisville's eastern suburbs. He is known for his conservative views and has often been a vocal critic of government spending and intervention.

Sections (5)

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

1973: War Powers Act

In 2019, Massie was also one of nine lawmakers to sign a letter to Trump requesting a meeting with him and urging him to sign "Senate Joint Resolution 7, which invokes the War Powers Act of 1973 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".

1991: MIT Solar Car Club Participation

In 1991, Thomas Massie participated in the MIT Solar Car Club, which took second place behind a Swiss team in the Solar and Electric 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway.

1992: Won MIT Design Competition

In 1992, Thomas Massie won MIT's 2.70 ("Introduction to Design and Manufacturing", now named 2.007) Design Competition.

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 that appeared on a screen. He also completed his bachelor's degree the same year.

1995: Won Lemelson-MIT Student Prize

In 1995, Thomas Massie won the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for inventors and the $10,000 David and Lindsay Morgenthaler Grand Prize in the sixth annual MIT $10K Entrepreneurial Business Plan Competition.

1996: Reincorporated SensAble Technologies, Inc.

In 1996, Massie's company was reincorporated as SensAble Technologies, Inc., after partner Bill Aulet joined.

2003: Sold SensAble Technologies

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

2010: Ran for Judge Executive of Lewis County

In 2010, Thomas Massie ran for and won the election for Judge Executive of Lewis County. He also campaigned for then–U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul.

December 2011: Geoff Davis Announced 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 as Lewis County Judge-Executive.

July 31, 2012: Congressman Davis Resigned

On July 31, 2012, Congressman Geoff Davis resigned from office, citing a family health issue.

August 1, 2012: Endorsed as Party's Nominee

On August 1, 2012, the Republican Party committee for Kentucky's 4th Congressional district voted unanimously to endorse Massie as the party's nominee once a special election was called.

November 13, 2012: Sworn into Congress

On November 13, 2012, Thomas Massie was sworn in for the balance of Davis's term, gaining seniority on the rest of the 2012 House freshman class. He became the first congressman from the district's eastern portion in 45 years.

2012: Elected to Congress

In 2012, Thomas Massie became the United States representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district. The district covers much of northeastern Kentucky.

2012: Continued Role as Judge-Executive

Thomas Massie continued to serve as judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky in 2012 before joining Congress.

May 2013: Voted Against Stolen Valor Act

In May 2013, Thomas Massie voted against the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which passed 390–3.

December 2013: Opposed Undetectable Firearms Act

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

2013: Introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act

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

2013: Voted for Justin Amash for Speaker of the House

In 2013, 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 Bill Naming Israel Strategic Partner

In March 2014, Thomas Massie voted against a bill to name Israel an American strategic partner, citing his opposition to subsidizing foreign green energy companies.

May 2014: Objected to Voice Vote for Jack Nicklaus Medal

In May 2014, Thomas Massie objected to a voice vote to award golf star Jack Nicklaus a gold medal recognizing his "service to the nation", and demanded 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: Sponsored hemp-related amendments

In 2014, Massie sponsored hemp-related amendments that were approved by the House.

2014: Called for release of 28 redacted pages related to 9/11

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

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

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

2015: Sponsored hemp-related amendments

In 2015, Massie sponsored hemp-related amendments that were approved by the House.

2015: Introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act

In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, which aimed to mandate a comprehensive examination of the Federal Reserve System by the Comptroller General to ensure transparency and accountability.

2015: Voted Present on Iran Nuclear Agreement

In 2015, Thomas Massie was the sole member of the House to vote "present" on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear agreement, citing Constitutional concerns.

2015: Conflict against Yemen's Houthi forces initiated 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.

February 2017: Introduced Bill to Abolish Department of Education

In February 2017, Thomas Massie introduced a one-page bill that would abolish the United States Department of Education, and cosponsored a bill that would abolish the Environmental Protection Agency.

April 2017: Expressed Skepticism on Syrian 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: Sole Vote 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

In July 2017, Thomas Massie joined Representatives Amash and John Duncan Jr., and Senators Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders in opposing a bill to impose new economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

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

On December 29, 2017, Thomas Massie voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, stating he would support cutting taxes but oppose new government spending.

2017: Voted for Dan Webster for Speaker of the House

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

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

In 2017, Thomas Massie voiced criticism of the Republican Party's attempts to repeal sections of the Affordable Care Act, arguing that their proposals did not fully deliver on the promise to repeal Obamacare.

October 2018: Spoke at John Birch Society Anniversary

In October 2018, Thomas Massie spoke at the John Birch Society’s 60th anniversary celebration, discussing government corruption and opposing an Article V Convention.

March 26, 2019: Voted to Override Trump's Veto

On March 26, 2019, Thomas Massie was one of 14 Republicans to vote with all House Democrats 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 from Yale University a "pseudoscience degree" and his stance on climate change "pseudoscience."

July 2019: Voted Against 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, calling it an "escalation" with China.

2019: Massie introduces the Second Amendment Protection Act

During the 2019-2020 session, Massie introduced H.R. 2071, the "Second Amendment Protection Act", aimed at lifting the federal prohibition on medical marijuana patients owning or possessing firearms.

2019: Voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House

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

2019: Massie votes against condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement

In 2019, Massie was the only Republican House member to vote against condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, citing concerns about federal intervention in private boycotts.

2019: Signed Letter to Trump on Use of Force

In 2019, Thomas Massie signed a letter to Trump asserting that it was "long past time to rein in the use of force that goes beyond congressional authorization" and urging a political solution to involvement in Afghanistan.

February 26, 2020: Voted against making lynching a federal hate crime

On February 26, 2020, Thomas Massie voted against making lynching a federal hate crime.

April 2020: Massie votes against Paycheck Protection Program

In April 2020, Massie was among the few House members who voted against the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated an additional $320 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program.

2020: Massie introduces the Second Amendment Protection Act

During the 2019-2020 session, Massie introduced H.R. 2071, the "Second Amendment Protection Act", aimed at lifting the federal prohibition on medical marijuana patients owning or possessing firearms.

2020: Voted against Further Consolidated Appropriations Act

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

January 6, 2021: Did not support colleagues' efforts to challenge 2020 election results

On January 6, 2021, Massie was among seven Republicans who did not support efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, signing a letter that acknowledged election fraud allegations but asserted Congress lacked the authority to influence the election's outcome.

June 2021: Voted against resolution to give Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6

In June 2021, Massie was one of 21 House Republicans who voted against a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Also in June 2021, he was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against legislation to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday, expressing support for celebrating the abolition of slavery but opposing the name 'Independence Day'.

June 27, 2021: Sued Nancy Pelosi over mask fines

On June 27, 2021, Massie announced that he, along with Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ralph Norman, were suing Speaker Nancy Pelosi after being fined for not wearing masks on the House floor.

July 2021: Voted Against ALLIES Act

In July 2021, Thomas Massie voted against the bipartisan ALLIES Act, which would increase special immigrant visas for Afghan allies of the U.S. military.

September 2021: Only Republican to Oppose Iron Dome Funding

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 Vote Against 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, 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.

May 2022: Only House Member to Vote Against Anti-Semitism Resolution

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.

2022: Massie introduces the Safe Students Act

In 2022, Massie introduced H.R. 7415, the "Safe Students Act", which sought to repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, effectively removing the federal ban on guns in school zones.

February 2023: Voted against resolution mourning those killed in Turkey-Syria earthquakes

In February 2023, Thomas Massie, along with Marjorie Taylor Greene, voted against a nonpartisan resolution mourning the victims of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes. The resolution also condemned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for allegedly exploiting the disaster.

October 2023: Received votes for Speaker

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

May 16, 2024: Introduced Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act

On May 16, 2024, Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act (H.R. 8421), which seeks to abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks, and repeal the 1913 Federal Reserve Act.

2024: Endorsed Ron DeSantis for president

In 2024, Massie endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president, citing DeSantis's decisiveness, respect for the Constitution, understanding of policy, prioritization of family, and inspiring leadership.