Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is warning that Republicans could face significant losses in the upcoming midterm elections if they fail to capitalize on the political power voters have handed them.
Speaking outside the Capitol on Thursday, Massie criticized his own party’s priorities after President Donald Trump halted a signing ceremony for bipartisan housing legislation, arguing Republicans are squandering an opportunity while controlling the federal government.
On Wednesday, Trump canceled a planned signing ceremony for the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, legislation aimed at lowering housing costs and increasing the nation’s housing supply.
The president has insisted he will not sign the measure until the Senate passes the SAVE Act, a voter registration bill that Trump says is needed to address widespread voter fraud. According to the article, evidence for such widespread voter fraud is nonexistent.
If Trump does not sign the housing legislation within 10 days, it will automatically become law unless Congress adjourns during that period, in which case the bill would be automatically vetoed. Trump also retains the option of vetoing the legislation outright.
The SAVE Act currently lacks the 60 votes needed in the Senate to overcome the procedural hurdle known as cloture. Trump has urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to eliminate that requirement, though doing so would still require 51 votes. Thune has said those votes are not available.
Massie questioned the strategy, arguing Republicans should instead focus on governing after winning control of key institutions.
“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?” Massie said.
The Kentucky Republican pointed to the GOP’s recent electoral victories as evidence that the party should be concentrating on advancing its agenda rather than focusing on election-related concerns.
“I mean, we won all the damn elections and we’re in charge,” Massie continued. “And what are we doing with it? … The problem is we’re wasting our opportunity that the voters gave us.”
Massie predicted political consequences if Republicans fail to change course before voters head to the polls in the midterm elections.
“And the Republicans are going to pay for that in November,” he said. “It’ll be an absolute shellacking if they don’t wake up.”
Massie is currently serving out his term in Congress after losing his Republican primary to a challenger backed by Trump.
Despite that defeat, the congressman has already taken steps that could allow him to seek federal office again in the future.
Last month, Massie announced that he had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission related to the 2028 election cycle.
“I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race,” Massie wrote. “This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office. I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run.”
While Massie has not committed to another campaign, he indicated he is keeping his options open as he continues serving the remainder of his current term.
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