Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie stands alone against Mike Johnson’s “clean” funding bill, exposing deep divisions within GOP ranks over federal spending priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Thomas Massie was the sole Republican to vote against a recent GOP budget resolution, criticizing it for adding $3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
- Massie opposes Speaker Mike Johnson’s “clean” continuing resolution, arguing it perpetuates government waste and fails to prioritize spending cuts.
- Despite Massie’s opposition, President Trump supports the clean CR, urging its passage while blaming Biden for budget delays.
- Massie advocates splitting funding into 12 separate bills to allow better scrutiny and targeted budget reductions.
- The funding debate highlights ideological differences within the Republican party between fiscal conservatives and pragmatists seeking to avoid a government shutdown.
The Lone Fiscal Conservative
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has established himself as perhaps the most consistent fiscal conservative in Congress, earning the nickname “Mr. No” for his frequent opposition to spending bills. His recent stance against House Speaker Mike Johnson’s “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government underscores his unwavering commitment to reducing federal spending. Massie was the only Republican to vote against a recent GOP budget resolution, citing concerns about its impact on the national deficit. His opposition to the clean CR comes despite the measure receiving endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Massie’s principled stance on government spending isn’t new. He has consistently voted against significant spending bills throughout his congressional career, including the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and previous government funding measures designed to avoid shutdowns. Unlike some lawmakers who profess fiscal conservatism when politically convenient, Massie has maintained his position regardless of which party controls Washington, earning respect even from those who disagree with his views.
I’ll vote against a clean CR that funds everything in 2025 at 2024 levels because:
1. @SpeakerJohnson isn’t following the provision in law that would have cut everything by 1% if the CR extended past April.
2. We should not fund the waste, fraud, and abuse that Doge has found.…
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 4, 2025
Challenging the “Clean” CR Approach
At the center of the current dispute is Speaker Johnson’s proposal for a “clean” continuing resolution that would fund the government at current levels through September 30. While many Republicans view this as a pragmatic solution to avoid a government shutdown before the March 14 deadline, Massie has publicly criticized the plan for several specific reasons. He argues that Johnson is ignoring provisions in existing law that would trigger automatic 1% spending cuts if a CR extended past April.
“I’ll vote against a clean CR that funds everything in 2025 at 2024 levels because: 1. @SpeakerJohnson isn’t following the provision in law that would have cut everything by 1% if the CR extended past April. 2. We should not fund the waste, fraud, and abuse that Doge has found. 3. These are supposed to be 12 separate bills. 4. We were told that the CR in December that got us to March would allow us to prioritize Trump’s agenda this March using the checkbook.” Massie posted to his X account. Massie’s criticism extends beyond the financial aspects to include concerns about the legislative process itself. He argues that funding should be divided into 12 separate appropriations bills rather than bundled into a single measure. This approach, he contends, would allow for greater scrutiny of individual spending categories and create opportunities for targeted spending reductions in areas with identified waste, fraud, and abuse.
Conflicting Republican Priorities
The dispute over the continuing resolution highlights broader tensions within the Republican Party regarding fiscal priorities. While Massie remains focused on deficit reduction above all else, other Republicans, including President Trump, have prioritized avoiding a government shutdown. Trump has publicly backed Johnson’s clean CR approach, placing blame for the budget situation on the Biden administration rather than on Republican leadership’s approach to resolving it.
Massie isn’t completely alone in his opposition. Congressman Tony Gonzales has also expressed concerns about the clean CR, advocating instead for a more conservative budget approach. However, Republican leadership, faced with slim majorities in both the House and Senate, appears to be prioritizing a path that can secure sufficient votes to pass. This pragmatic approach recognizes the reality that Democratic support will be necessary in the Senate, limiting the GOP’s ability to advance more conservative spending priorities.
The Path Forward
With the March 14 deadline for government funding approaching, the outcome of this internal Republican debate remains uncertain. Speaker Johnson continues to advocate for his clean CR approach while working to address concerns from members like Massie. The disagreement reflects a fundamental tension within conservative politics between deficit reduction and governance, with Massie representing the purist approach to fiscal conservatism that prioritizes spending cuts above all other considerations.
Whether Massie’s objections will influence the final form of the government funding bill or simply highlight ideological differences within the GOP remains to be seen. What’s clear is that even with Republicans controlling the House, achieving consensus on spending priorities continues to present significant challenges for party leadership, particularly when dealing with principled objectors like Thomas Massie.
Sources:
There appears to be one Republican serious about fixing government spending | Opinion
Republican Blasts Mike Johnson Over Government Funding Bill
