History of Thomas Massie in Timeline
Thomas Massie is an American politician and former engineer who has served as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district since 2012. A Republican, his district includes much of northeastern Kentucky, with a significant portion comprising the Kentucky side of the Cincinnati area and Louisville's eastern suburbs.
1913: Federal Reserve Act
In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act that created the Federal Reserve System was passed. Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act on May 16, 2024, that aims to abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks.
1950: Mass Shootings Since 1950
In 1950, Thomas Massie cited that 98% 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 former engineer.
1990: Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
In 1990, the Gun-Free School Zones Act was passed, which Thomas Massie attempted to repeal with the Safe Students Act in 2022.
1991: MIT Solar Car Club took second place
In 1991, Thomas Massie participated in the MIT Solar Car Club, which secured second place at the Solar and Electric 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway.
1992: Won MIT Design Competition
In 1992, Thomas Massie won MIT's 2.70 (now 2.007) Design Competition, fulfilling a long-held ambition.
1993: Marriage to 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 focused on haptic technology, and he completed his bachelor's degree.
1995: Won Lemelson-MIT Student Prize
In 1995, Thomas Massie was awarded the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize and the $10,000 David and Lindsay Morgenthaler Grand Prize for his inventions and entrepreneurial business plan.
1996: SensAble Technologies, Inc.
In 1996, SensAble Devices Inc. was reincorporated as SensAble Technologies, Inc., after partner Bill Aulet joined.
1996: Completed Master of Science Degree
In 1996, Thomas Massie completed his Master of Science degree with his thesis "Initial haptic explorations with the phantom: virtual touch through point interaction".
2001: Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001
In 2001, the Authorization for Use of Military Force was legislated, leading Massie to support legislation in 2019 to repeal it.
2002: Appeared on Junkyard Wars
In 2002, Massie appeared as a contestant in an episode of the TV show Junkyard Wars.
2003: Sold SensAble Technologies, Inc.
In 2003, Thomas Massie sold SensAble Technologies, Inc., a company he founded and grew significantly.
2010: Ran for Judge Executive of Lewis County
In 2010, Thomas Massie ran for Judge Executive of Lewis County, Kentucky, winning the primary and then the general election.
December 2011: Davis Announces Retirement
In December 2011, Geoff Davis announced his retirement from 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: Massie Announces Candidacy
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 Resigned from Office
On July 31, 2012, Geoff Davis resigned from his position as Congressman.
August 1, 2012: Endorsed as Party Nominee
On August 1, 2012, the Republican Party committee endorsed Thomas Massie as their nominee for the special election.
November 13, 2012: Sworn into Congress
On November 13, 2012, Thomas Massie was sworn in for the balance of Davis's term in Congress.
2012: Continued Role as Judge-Executive
In 2012, Thomas Massie continued serving as judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky, before transitioning to Congress.
2012: Elected to Congress
In 2012, Thomas Massie was elected as the United States representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
2012: Backed by the Tea Party Movement
In 2012, Thomas Massie's candidacy for Congress was backed by the Tea Party movement.
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: Early Tesla Adopter
In 2013, Massie became an early adopter of the Tesla Model S, later referring to himself as the "greenest member of Congress".
2013: Statement on Roe v. Wade
In 2013, Massie released a statement calling Roe v. Wade "one of the greatest judicial travesties of our time" and expressing his belief that life begins at conception.
2013: Voted for Justin Amash for Speaker
In 2013, Massie voted for Justin Amash for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, differing from his party's nominee.
2013: Massie Implies Cold Weather Undercuts Climate Change Argument
In 2013, Thomas Massie implied that cold weather undercut the argument for climate change, tweeting about a canceled hearing on global warming due to snow.
2013: Massie Introduces Industrial Hemp Farming Act
In 2013, Thomas Massie introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act and testified before the Kentucky Senate regarding the issue.
2013: Massie Introduces Justice Safety Valve Act
In 2013, Thomas Massie introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act to provide judges with greater sentencing flexibility.
March 2014: Voted Against Israel Strategic Partner Bill
In March 2014, Thomas Massie voted against a bill to name Israel an American strategic partner because it would have subsidized green energy companies in Israel.
May 2014: Objected to Voice Vote for Jack Nicklaus Medal
In May 2014, Thomas Massie objected to a voice vote to award Jack Nicklaus a gold medal.
June 2014: "Mr. No"
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
In 2014, Thomas Massie introduced the Milk Freedom Act and the Interstate Milk Freedom Act to allow the transportation of raw milk across state borders.
2014: Massie Calls for Release of 9/11 Report Pages
In 2014, Thomas Massie joined Representatives Walter B. Jones and Stephen Lynch at a press conference to call for 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 Searches
In 2014, Thomas Massie sponsored an amendment to stop warrantless "backdoor" searches of U.S. citizens' online data, which passed the House.
2014: Massie Hemp-Related Amendments Approved
In 2014, hemp-related amendments introduced by Thomas Massie were approved by the House.
January 2015: Voted for Ted Yoho for Speaker
In January 2015, Massie voted for Ted Yoho for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, differing from his party's nominee.
October 2015: Voted for Dan Webster for Speaker
In October 2015, Massie voted for Dan Webster for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, differing from his party's nominee.
2015: Massie Introduces Federal Reserve Transparency Act
In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act to "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
In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act to ease federal regulations on meat sales within state borders.
2015: Massie Introduces Surveillance State Repeal Act
In 2015, Thomas Massie introduced the Surveillance State Repeal Act, which aimed to repeal the PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act.
2015: Massie Votes Present on Iran Nuclear Agreement
In 2015, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote "present" on the Iran nuclear agreement.
2015: Massie Hemp-Related Amendments Approved
In 2015, hemp-related amendments introduced by Thomas Massie were approved by the House.
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 Urges Obama to Declassify 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 pages of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.
2016: Massie Opposes 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 Sanctions on North Korea
In May 2017, Thomas Massie was the sole House member to vote against sanctions on North Korea.
July 2017: Opposed Sanctions Against Russia, Iran, and North Korea
In July 2017, Thomas Massie joined other representatives and senators 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, despite concerns about its impact on the national debt.
2017: Voted for Dan Webster for Speaker
In 2017, Massie voted for Dan Webster for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, differing from his party's nominee.
2017: Massie Criticizes Republican Efforts to Repeal ACA
In 2017, Thomas Massie criticized Republicans' efforts to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, saying the efforts fell "far short of our promise to repeal Obamacare".
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, discussing government corruption and opposing an Article V Convention.
2018: Massie Calls Macron a 'Socialist Militarist Globalist'
In 2018, after French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Congress, Thomas Massie called Macron "a socialist militarist globalist science-alarmist."
March 26, 2019: Voted to Override Trump's Veto
On March 26, 2019, Thomas Massie voted to override Trump's veto of a measure unwinding the national emergency declaration at the southern border.
April 10, 2019: Called Kerry's Degree a "Pseudoscience Degree"
On April 10, 2019, during John Kerry's testimony, Thomas Massie called Kerry's political science degree a "pseudoscience degree," leading to widespread media coverage.
July 2019: Voted Against Resolution Opposing Boycott of Israel
In July 2019, Thomas Massie was one of 17 members of Congress to vote against a House resolution opposing efforts to boycott Israel.
August 2019: Called for James Comey's Imprisonment
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: 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, citing concerns about intervention in other nations' internal affairs.
December 2019: Massie Votes Against UIGHUR Act
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 Suggests Concerns over Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Exaggerated
During a 2019 House Oversight Committee hearing on the impact of climate change, Thomas Massie suggested that concerns over rising carbon dioxide levels were exaggerated.
2019: Voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker
In 2019, Massie voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, differing from his party's nominee; he also received votes for speaker this year.
2019: Massie Introduces Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act
In 2019, Thomas Massie helped introduce the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act to reform federal asset forfeiture policies.
2019: Massie Introduces Second Amendment Protection Act
In 2019, Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 2071, the "Second Amendment Protection Act", to lift the federal prohibition on medical marijuana patients owning or possessing firearms.
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".
2019: Massie Supports Legislation to Limit Military Force Abroad
In 2019, Thomas Massie supported legislation to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001 and introduced a bill to clarify that no authority exists for military action against Iran.
2019: Massie Only Republican to Oppose BDS Condemnation
In 2019, Thomas Massie was the only Republican House member to vote against condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
2019: Massie Opposes Recognizing 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.
2019: FAIR Rating
In 2019, the Federation for American Immigration Reform gave Massie a 92% rating for his stance on immigration controls.
February 26, 2020: Massie Votes 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 Amid Pandemic
On March 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas Massie threatened a quorum call, which forced House members to return to Washington and potentially endanger themselves to vote on the $2.2 trillion aid package.
April 2020: Massie Votes Against Paycheck Protection Program Funding
In April 2020, Thomas Massie was one of five 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 Vaccine Requirements
In July 2020, Thomas Massie spoke out against face mask mandates and compulsory vaccinations, later facing accusations of antisemitism for comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust.
September 2020: Commented on Kyle Rittenhouse's Restraint
In September 2020, Massie remarked that Kyle Rittenhouse had shown "incredible restraint" during a protest, noting that Rittenhouse did not empty a magazine into a crowd.
2020: Voted Against Further Consolidated Appropriations Act
In 2020, Massie voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, which would have authorized DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.
2020: Voted Against Reaffirming Peaceful Transfer of Power
In 2020, 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.
2020: Massie Introduces Second Amendment Protection Act
In 2020, Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 2071, the "Second Amendment Protection Act", to lift the federal prohibition on medical marijuana patients owning or possessing firearms.
2020: Massie Votes Against Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
In 2020, Thomas Massie was one of three House members to vote against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
January 6, 2021: Refused to Support Challenges to 2020 Election Results
On January 6, 2021, Massie was one of seven Republicans who did not support efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, asserting that Congress lacked the authority to influence the outcome.
June 2021: Voted Against Juneteenth as Federal Holiday
In June 2021, Massie was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, objecting to its naming as "Independence Day".
June 2021: Voted Against Congressional Gold Medal for Capitol Police
In June 2021, Massie was one of 21 House Republicans to vote against a resolution to award 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, Massie, along with Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ralph Norman, sued Speaker Nancy Pelosi after being 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, which would increase special immigrant visas for Afghan allies.
September 2021: Only Republican to Vote Against Funding for 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.
2021: Massie Votes Against Funding for Israel's Iron Dome
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
In 2021, Thomas Massie was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état.
January 30, 2022: Massie Criticized for Twitter Attack on Fauci
On January 30, 2022, Thomas Massie received criticism for a Twitter attack on Anthony Fauci, which included a quote from neo-Nazi Kevin Alfred Strom that Massie mistakenly attributed to Voltaire.
February 28, 2022: Massie Votes Against Emmett Till Antilynching Act
On February 28, 2022, Thomas Massie was one of three representatives to vote against the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.
May 2022: Voted Against Resolution Denouncing Antisemitism
In May 2022, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote against a resolution denouncing antisemitism and opposition to Israel, citing concerns about censorship.
2022: NumbersUSA Score
In 2022, NumbersUSA gave Massie a 93% score for his efforts to reduce both legal and illegal immigration.
2022: Massie Introduces Safe Students Act
In 2022, Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 7415, the "Safe Students Act", which would repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.
2022: Limited Agreement with Biden's Stated Position
In 2022, Thomas Massie voted with President Biden's stated position on only two bills: H.R.256 and the first introduction of H.R.3967, the Honoring our PACT Act.
January 2023: Massie Least Likely to Vote With Biden
As of January 2023, Thomas Massie was identified as one of the least likely members of Congress to vote in accordance with President Joe Biden's stated position, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.
February 2023: Massie and Greene Vote Against Resolution Mourning 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.
October 2023: Received Votes for Speaker
In October 2023, Massie received votes for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
October 2023: Massie Only Republican Against Israel Support Resolution
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 a meme appearing to contrast Zionism with American patriotism.
April 16, 2024: Co-sponsored Motion to Vacate
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 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."
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 aims to abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks, also repealing the 1913 Federal Reserve Act.
June 2024: Massie Claims AIPAC Directs Republican Congress Members
In a June 2024 interview, Thomas Massie claimed that every Republican member of Congress except himself has an "AIPAC person" directing their votes.
June 27, 2024: Death of Rhonda Howard
On June 27, 2024, Rhonda Howard, Massie's wife and high school sweetheart, passed away at age 51.
July 2024: Massie Boycotts Netanyahu's Address to Congress
In July 2024, Thomas Massie boycotted Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress, labeling it "political theater," and was the only Republican to do so.
July 2024: Co-Moderated 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, Massie endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president, citing DeSantis's decisiveness, respect for the Constitution, understanding of policy, focus on family, and inspirational leadership.
2025: Sole Republican to Vote Against Mike Johnson
In 2025, Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the re-election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, after others changed their votes.
