This Friday, the House had been slated to pass a new Coronavirus relief funding package via unanimous consent when Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie indicated he’d object and thereby force an in-person, roll call vote on the plan, which includes trillions of dollars in relief for businesses and individual Americans. President Donald Trump himself hammered Massie in the wake of the emergence of his plans, suggesting he should be kicked out of the Republican Party for his insolence. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, a Democrat, joined in on the harsh criticism of Massie.
Pete King sums up the sentiment of many lawmakers who are forced to come back, amid fears many expressed about contracting the virus and spreading it to their families. “Disgraceful,” he says. Thomas Massie is signaling he may request a recorded vote today https://t.co/3vrdRB6TFD
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 27, 2020
Kerry commented on Twitter:
‘Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He’s given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!)’
Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He's given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!) https://t.co/N1CNLPsZjc
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 27, 2020
Even after Trump’s own harsh criticism, Massie confirmed that he’d request a vote on the relief package, which would require a quorum of House members to be present to pass. There’s no indication that any remotely significant contingent of Republicans other than Massie have any plans to oppose the passage of the legislation, which passed the Republican majority Senate with unanimous approval earlier this week, but Massie is sticking it out anyway.
What Massie is doing here is the worst kind of stunt. He's pretending it's all about 𝔗𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔱𝔲𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫, knowing full well the outcome will not change, but he's actually just putting his colleagues, their staff, their families, and communities at serious risk. https://t.co/7sVSKddz5k
— joe perticone (@JoePerticone) March 27, 2020
His stunt has forced his colleagues to return to D.C. against, in some cases, their wishes because of the potential for the Coronavirus to spread. At least three members of Congress have already contracted the disease, and many of those in Congress are on the older side, which makes them especially vulnerable to its effects.
Congressman Pete King, a New York Republican, tweeted early Friday:
‘Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible.’
Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible.
— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) March 27, 2020
Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) — another one of the many who denounced Massie’s spectacle — pointed out that Massie’s late revelation of plans to force a roll-call vote didn’t even allow all members the chance to return to the House. Gomez shared:
‘Flying back to DC to vote for the stimulus bill. It could pass on a voice vote but some members want to make a statement by potentially asking for an in-person vote. Not all my colleagues can go back for health reasons. So, I’m doing it for them & for my constituents.’
Eventually, the legislation did pass. Check out Twitter’s response to Kerry…
