Thomas Massie again one of two Republican 'no' votes on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
House Resolution 1, also labeled the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," is a massive piece of legislation that preserves tax cuts passed during Trump's first administration while also investing billions in border security and the U.S. military.
It passed the House on a 218-214 vote July 3 and now heads to Trump's desk to be signed into law.
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Massie, who has been a stark opponent of the legislation, was one of two Republican "no" votes, along with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania.
Earlier, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was one of three Republicans to oppose the bill, which passed through the Senate on a 51-50 vote July 1, after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote.
Massie had consistently spoken against the bill, saying he didn't believe it cut the federal deficit enough. His criticisms on the measure caught attention of Trump, who has targeted Massie in his upcoming May 2026 primary.
While the bill has drawn massive support from Republicans, it drew heavy opposition from Democrats for its cuts to the Medicaid program and other measures.
The rest of Kentucky's Republican federal delegation, including U.S. Reps. Hal Rogers, James Comer, Andy Barr and Brett Guthrie, voted in favor of the bill. U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the lone Democratic representative from the Bluegrass State, voted "no."
More: Proposed censure of Thomas Massie hints at divide in Kentucky GOP amid Trump feud
"This Republican budget is a slap in the face to Kentucky and all of rural America," McGarvey said in a statement. "It will kick millions of Americans off their health insurance, take food away from Kentucky families, kids, and seniors, and add trillions to the national debt. All so that Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos pay even less in taxes."
Barr, however, in a statement argued the bill will help Kentuckians.
'Today, Kentucky families, workers, and small businesses got a historic tax cut — jet fuel for our economy and a boost for Kentuckians still recovering after four years of Bidenflation," Barr said. "This is the latest and greatest chapter of the Trump economic comeback — and the theme is promises made, promises kept."
This story could be updated.
Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Massie again votes 'no' on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
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