Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) blasted his own party Thursday, arguing Republicans are squandering their majority and warning they could face a “shellacking” in the November midterm elections if they fail to deliver on their agenda.
“The problem is we’re wasting our opportunity that the voters gave us,” Massie told reporters outside the Capitol building. “And the Republicans are going to pay for that in November. It’ll be an absolute shellacking if they don’t wake up.”
Massie also dismissed Republican efforts to continue focusing on election fraud claims despite the party controlling Washington.
“I think it’s ironic that we control the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the White House, and we’re yelling election fraud?” he said. “I mean, we won all the damn elections, and we’re in charge. And what are we doing with it?”
His comments come as President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on congressional Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation that would impose new voter identification requirements. Senate Republicans have acknowledged the bill lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster.
The standoff escalated earlier this week after Trump abruptly canceled a planned bill-signing ceremony on Capitol Hill for housing legislation, insisting lawmakers first approve the election bill.
“Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump has also refused to sign an extension of a key surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless it includes the SAVE America Act.
TRUMP CANCELS MAJOR HOUSING BILL SIGNING TO DEMAND SAVE AMERICA ACT PASSAGE
Massie’s criticism comes months after he lost his Republican primary to a Trump-backed challenger. Trump targeted the Kentucky congressman after clashes over spending, foreign policy, and other priorities.
Despite his primary loss, Massie has signaled he is not done with politics. Less than a week after the election, he filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to continue raising money, fueling speculation about a possible return to elected office in 2028.
