Former President Donald Trump has taken aim at Republican Congressman Thomas Massie for opposing a short-term funding bill backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The dispute has sparked tension within the GOP as the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown looms.
Johnson’s Plan to Keep the Government Running
Speaker Mike Johnson, working closely with Trump, introduced a continuing resolution (CR) over the weekend to ensure government funding through September 30.
The proposal maintains spending at the same levels established during President Joe Biden’s administration.
With a House vote scheduled for Tuesday, its passage remains uncertain.
If lawmakers fail to approve the CR before Saturday, the government will partially shut down, forcing some agencies to cease operations until a new funding measure is passed.
Internal GOP Concerns and Trump’s Public Stance
Ahead of the crucial vote, Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly warned House Republicans in private that the GOP would shoulder the blame for a shutdown.
However, Trump has publicly stated that Democrats would be at fault if funding runs out.
Despite Trump’s backing, Congressman Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of short-term funding bills, has vowed to vote against the measure.
His opposition has drawn Trump’s ire, leading the former president to call for Massie to be challenged in the next primary election.
Trump’s Sharp Criticism of Massie
Trump did not hold back in his criticism of Massie, calling him an automatic ‘no’ vote on nearly everything.
He accused the Kentucky representative of grandstanding and likened him to former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who lost her seat after clashing with Trump.
“HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him,” Trump declared, making it clear he wants a challenger to unseat Massie in the next election.
Massie Stands Firm Against Short-Term Funding
Massie has defended his position, arguing that continuing resolutions only extend wasteful government spending.
Over the weekend, he reiterated his stance on social media, questioning why lawmakers would support another CR after previously being told they would fight for spending cuts in March.
His resistance to stop-gap measures is nothing new. Last year, he even attempted to remove Johnson from his leadership position over similar disagreements.
Since Johnson assumed power in late October 2023, Massie has consistently voted against all five CRs proposed by the speaker.
A Tight Vote and Growing Opposition
With the GOP holding a slim 218-214 majority in the House, the party can afford to lose only two votes on Tuesday’s CR push.
Massie’s opposition leaves Johnson and Trump in a tough spot—if just one more Republican votes against the bill, it will fail.
Several other GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, have also expressed skepticism.
Burchett even acknowledged that he expects a phone call from Trump regarding his vote.
Republican Infighting Heats Up
While Trump is pushing for Massie to be primaried, Johnson has defended the Kentucky lawmaker, suggesting he is protected as an incumbent and difficult to unseat.
Tensions escalated further when Trump’s campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, taunted Massie on social media with the phrase “Tick tock Tommie,” implying that Massie’s time in office could be running out.
Massie fired back, insisting that threats to his re-election won’t influence his voting decisions.
“Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me,” Massie responded.
Broader Republican Opposition to CRs
Massie’s stance reflects a larger frustration among conservative Republicans who oppose continued high levels of government spending.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has also rejected the CR, calling it a “hell no” and criticizing its failure to cut spending.
Paul pointed out that the bill maintains pandemic-era spending levels and will add $2 trillion to the national debt.
He also criticized funding for foreign aid programs, citing Elon Musk’s opposition to such expenditures.
What’s Next?
The outcome of Tuesday’s House vote will determine the immediate fate of government funding.
If the CR fails, Congress will have to scramble for an alternative to avoid a shutdown.
Meanwhile, the internal GOP battle over spending priorities and party loyalty continues to intensify, setting the stage for further clashes leading into the next election cycle.