Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, voted against House Republicans’ budget proposal on Tuesday night, siding with Democrats as the only GOP no vote.
Newsweek reached out to Massie’s office via email Tuesday for comment.
What To Know
President Donald Trump strongly endorsed the proposal, calling it a “big, beautiful bill,” and urged House Republicans to vote for it.
But Massie voiced his opposition to the budget ahead of the vote saying on X (formerly Twitter), “The GOP budget extends the 5 yr. tax holiday we’ve been enjoying, but because it doesn’t cut spending much, it increases the deficit by over $300 billion/yr. compared to letting tax cuts expire. Over 10 years, this budget will add $20 trillion to US debt.”
The GOP budget extends the 5 yr. tax holiday we’ve been enjoying, but because it doesn’t cut spending much, it increases the deficit by over $300 billion/yr. compared to letting tax cuts expire. Over 10 years, this budget will add $20 trillion to US debt.pic.twitter.com/JZ2tDoTHI6
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 25, 2025
Republicans were split over the budget in the past few weeks as many wanted to advance Trump‘s agenda, but others were concerned about the country’s growing debt.
The House ultimately passed the proposal 217-215. The proposal called for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in cuts to spending, which have sparked concerns about the future of Medicaid.
With a razor thin House majority, Republicans could only afford to lose one vote, meaning the proposal would have failed if any other GOP members voted with Massie against it.
What People Are Saying
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a joint statement with other Republican leaders on X after the vote: “Today, House Republicans moved Congress closer to delivering on President Trump’s full America First agenda — not just parts of it.”
The statement continued: “This momentum will grow as we work with our committee chairs and Senate Republicans to determine the best policies within their respective jurisdictions to meet budgetary targets. We have full confidence in their ability to chart the best path forward. While there is still much more to do, we are determined to send a bill to President Trump’s desk that secures our border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, restores American energy dominance, strengthens America’s standing on the world stage, and makes government work more effectively for all Americans.”
Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California wrote on X: “Tonight, House Republicans passed a budget which steals taxpayer dollars from Medicaid to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors and big corporations. Their cruel budget raises costs for those already struggling to make ends meet — but Republicans voted for it with glee.”
Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, wrote on X on Tuesday: “House Republicans just voted to pass a budget that savagely cuts Medicaid and CHIP by up to $880 billion. An attack on Medicaid and CHIP is a frontal assault on the 80 million Americans who depend on both programs for health care and home care. Disgraceful.”
What Happens Next
As of 9:24 p.m. ET, Trump has not yet weighed in on the outcome of the vote.
Update 02/25/25 9:24 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.