Major Controversies Surrounding Thomas Massie: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Thomas Massie.

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

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: Massie jokes about climate change during cold weather

In 2013, Thomas Massie joked that cold weather undercut the argument for climate change, tweeting, "Today's Science Committee Hearing on Global Warming canceled due to snow".

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

2018: Massie calls Macron "socialist militarist globalist science-alarmist"

In 2018, after French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Congress about rejoining the Paris Climate Accords, Thomas Massie called Macron "a socialist militarist globalist science-alarmist. The dark future of the American Democratic Party".

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.

August 2019: Said James Comey should be in prison instead of Maria Butina

In August 2019, Thomas Massie stated that former FBI Director James Comey should be put in prison instead of Maria Butina.

October 2019: Criticized jail sentence for Maria Butina

In October 2019, Thomas Massie criticized the jail sentence for Maria Butina, a Russian citizen who pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent in the United States.

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 questions concerns over rising carbon dioxide levels

In 2019, During a House Oversight Committee hearing on the impact of climate change, Thomas Massie suggested that concerns over rising carbon dioxide levels were exaggerated.

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.

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

On February 26, 2020, Thomas Massie voted against a bill that would have made lynching a federal hate crime.

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.

September 2020: Said Kyle Rittenhouse showed incredible restraint

In September 2020, Thomas Massie stated that Kyle Rittenhouse, who was charged with first-degree intentional homicide after shooting two people at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, had shown "incredible restraint."

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.

2020: Voted against House resolution reaffirming peaceful transfer of power

In 2020, Thomas Massie was part of a small group of Republicans who voted against a House resolution reaffirming commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power in the United States under democratic principles.

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

On January 6, 2021, Thomas Massie was one of seven Republicans who did not support their colleagues' efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.

June 2021: Voted against legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday

Also in June 2021, Thomas Massie was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against legislation to establish June 19, or Juneteenth (officially named "Juneteenth National Independence Day"), as a federal holiday, opposing its naming.

June 2021: Voted against giving Congressional Gold Medal to Capitol police officers

In June 2021, Thomas Massie was one of 21 House Republicans to vote against a resolution to give the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

June 27, 2021: Sued Nancy Pelosi over mask fines

On June 27, 2021, Thomas Massie said he and Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ralph Norman were suing Speaker Nancy Pelosi after they were fined for refusing to wear masks on the House floor.

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 4, 2021: Posted family Christmas photo with guns

On December 4, 2021, Thomas Massie drew criticism for posting on his Twitter account a family Christmas photo with an assortment of guns, several days after four teenagers had been killed in the Oxford High School shooting.

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.

February 28, 2022: Voted against the Emmett Till Antilynching Act

On February 28, 2022, Thomas Massie was one of three representatives to vote against the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

March 2022: Massie amplifies claims about Ukrainian biological weapons

In March 2022, Thomas Massie amplified Russian claims that Ukraine was developing biological weapons, referring to Victoria Nuland's statement about Ukrainian biological research facilities.

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.

February 2023: Voted against resolution mourning Turkey-Syria earthquake victims

In February 2023, Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene were the only two representatives to vote against a nonpartisan resolution mourning those killed in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which also condemned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

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.

December 2023: Massie tweets meme contrasting Zionism with American patriotism

In December 2023, Thomas Massie tweeted out a meme appearing to contrast Zionism with American patriotism, sparking further controversy.

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.

May 2024: AIPAC targets Massie with ad campaign

In May 2024, AIPAC and allied groups announced a $300,000 ad campaign targeting Thomas Massie for perceived "anti-Israel views." Massie responded by posting a poll on X asking his followers whether AIPAC should be forced to register as a foreign agent.

June 2024: Massie claims Republican members of Congress have an "AIPAC person"

In a June 2024 interview, Thomas Massie claimed that each Republican member of Congress besides himself has an "AIPAC person" that directs them to vote in line with the positions of the organization.