Two Republicans in the House are defending Rep. Thomas Massie after President Trump slammed him for forcing House members back to Washington to vote on a coronavirus aid bill.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, tried to force the House to hold a recorded vote over the bill, which would have forced lawmakers back in their home districts to travel to Washington or be recorded as missing the vote on the largest relief package in U.S. history.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy working together brought enough lawmakers into the House chamber — the House needs at least 216 for a quorum — to overrule Massie’s request. The more than $2 trillion aid package passed by voice vote on Friday.
Trump blasted Massie in a slew of tweets, calling him a “disaster” for the country. Trump also said that Massie should be thrown out of the Republican Party.
Two of Massie’s fellow Republicans in the House defended the isolated lawmaker on Twitter. Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Paul Gosar of Arizona responded directly to Trump’s tweets, calling his attack unwarranted.
“@RepThomasMassie is one of the most principled men in Congress & loves his country. He is defending the Constitution today by requiring a quorum. There’s nothing 3rd rate about that, @realDonaldTrump. I may miss vote if he forces roll call (flights) but it will pass. Back off,” Roy said.
.@RepThomasMassie is one of the most principled men in Congress & loves his country. He is defending the Constitution today by requiring a quorum. There’s nothing 3rd rate about that, @realDonaldTrump. I may miss vote if he forces roll call (flights) but it will pass. Back off. https://t.co/ms8TM3rJp8
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 27, 2020
“Mr. President. @RepThomasMassie is a good man and a solid conservative. He believes in the Constitution strongly. We won’t always agree on strategy or policy. But he doesn’t warrant this dressing down. Thomas — Hang tough brother,” Gosar tweeted.
@realDonaldTrump Mr. President. @RepThomasMassie is a good man and a solid conservative. He believes in the Constitution strongly. We won’t always agree on strategy or policy. But he doesn’t warrant this dressing down. Thomas—Hang tough brother. #CoronavirusOutbreak https://t.co/f0gydIQHTX
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 27, 2020
