History of Thomas Massie in Timeline
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.
1950: Reference to mass public shootings since 1950
Massie referenced that since 1950, 98 percent of mass public shootings have occurred in places where citizens are banned from having guns.
January 13, 1971: Thomas Massie Born
On January 13, 1971, Thomas Harold Massie was born. He is an American politician and engineer.
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".
1990: Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 is mentioned
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.
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: Married Rhonda Howard
In 1993, Massie married his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Howard.
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.
1996: Completed Master of Science Degree
In 1996, Thomas Massie completed a Master of Science degree (SM) with his thesis, "Initial haptic explorations with the phantom: virtual touch through point interaction".
2002: Appeared on TV show Junkyard Wars
In 2002, Massie participated as a contestant on an episode of the TV show Junkyard Wars.
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: Aligned with libertarian principles
In 2012, Thomas Massie was described as a libertarian Republican and a member of the Tea Party movement, which backed his candidacy for Congress. Massie has described himself as a "constitutional conservative," stating that his political philosophy is rooted in the belief that "the federal government should be strictly limited by the Constitution."
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: Became an early adopter of Tesla Model S
In 2013, Massie became an early adopter of the Tesla Model S. He has referred to himself as the 'greenest member of Congress'.
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: Massie jokes about cold weather and climate change
In 2013, Massie joked that cold weather undermined the argument for climate change, tweeting about the cancellation of a Science Committee Hearing on Global Warming due to snow.
2013: Called Roe v. Wade a "judicial travesty"
In 2013, Massie released a statement calling Roe v. Wade "one of the greatest judicial travesties of our time" and asserted his belief that life begins at conception.
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
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".
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.
2018: Massie criticizes Emmanuel Macron's speech to Congress
In 2018, after French President Emmanuel Macron's address to Congress mentioning his desire for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords, Massie labeled Macron as "a socialist militarist globalist science-alarmist."
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.
August 2019: Said James Comey should be put in prison instead of Maria Butina
In August 2019, Massie stated that former FBI Director James Comey should be imprisoned instead of Maria Butina.
October 2019: Criticized Maria Butina's jail sentence
In October 2019, Massie criticized the jail sentence given to Maria Butina, a Russian citizen who pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent in the United States, describing it as motivated by Russophobia.
November 2019: Massie votes against the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
In November 2019, Massie was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, citing that intervening in other nations' internal affairs is not the role of 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, calling it an "escalation" with China.
December 2019: Massie votes against the UIGHUR Act
In December 2019, Massie was the sole member of Congress to vote against the UIGHUR Act, which condemned the treatment of Chinese Uyghurs, citing that intervening in other nations' internal affairs is not the role of the United States.
2019: Massie questions concerns over rising carbon dioxide levels
During a 2019 House Oversight Committee hearing on the impact of climate change, Massie suggested that concerns about rising carbon dioxide levels were exaggerated.
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.
2019: Received rating from Federation for American Immigration Reform
In 2019, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which supports immigration controls, gave Massie a 92% rating.
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.
March 27, 2020: Massie forces House members to return to Washington
On March 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Massie compelled House members to return to Washington by threatening a quorum call, potentially endangering them amid the pandemic. This action was in response to a $2.2 trillion aid package.
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.
July 2020: Massie argues against mask mandates and compulsory vaccinations
In July 2020, Massie opposed face mask mandates and compulsory vaccinations, leading to allegations of antisemitism after he made a comparison to the Holocaust.
September 2020: Commented on Kyle Rittenhouse case
In September 2020, Massie remarked that Kyle Rittenhouse, who was charged with first-degree intentional homicide after a shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, had demonstrated "incredible restraint."
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.
2020: Massie votes against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
In 2020, Massie was one of only three House members to vote against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
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.
2021: Massie votes against measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état
In 2021, Massie was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état.
January 30, 2022: Massie faces criticism for Twitter attack on Anthony Fauci
On January 30, 2022, Massie was criticized for a Twitter attack on Anthony Fauci, which included a quote from neo-Nazi Kevin Alfred Strom, mistakenly attributed to Voltaire.
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.
2022: Received score from NumbersUSA
In 2022, NumbersUSA, an organization that seeks to reduce both legal and illegal immigration, gave Massie a 93% score.
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.
October 2023: Massie is the only Republican to vote against House resolution guaranteeing U.S. support for Israel
In October 2023, 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, 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, Massie tweeted a meme that appeared to contrast Zionism with American patriotism, leading to further controversy.
May 2024: AIPAC launches ad campaign targeting Massie
In May 2024, AIPAC and allied groups initiated a $300,000 ad campaign targeting Massie for what they considered "anti-Israel views," without formally endorsing any primary challenger.
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.
June 2024: Massie claims each Republican member of Congress has an "AIPAC person"
In a June 2024 interview, Massie asserted that every Republican member of Congress, excluding himself, has an "AIPAC person" directing their votes.
June 27, 2024: Death of Rhonda Howard
On June 27, 2024, Rhonda Howard, Massie's wife, passed away at the age of 51.
July 2024: Massie boycotts Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress
In July 2024, Massie boycotted Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress, labeling it as "political theater" and becoming the only Republican to do so. He advocated for ending all U.S. military aid to Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza.
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.
March 26, 2025: Supreme Court disagrees with Massie on regulating privately made firearms
On March 26, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 opinion authored by Justice Gorsuch, disagreed with Massie's view that the federal government lacks the authority to prevent individuals from making their own firearms.
2025: Voted against Senate-approved version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
In 2025, Massie was one of two Republicans who voted against the Senate-approved version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
2025: Sole Republican to vote against re-election of Mike Johnson
In 2025, Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the re-election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House.
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