Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., on Friday ripped fellow Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., for forcing legislators to travel from across the country to vote in person on a coronavirus relief bill.
King tweeted Friday:
"Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible."
Massie said Thursday he had concerns about how the bill would add to the national debt, and he might object to a voice vote in the House, forcing at least half of its members to attend the vote in person.
"I'm having a really hard time with this, because they're saying, 'well it's hard to travel,' yadda, yadda, yadda," he said. "Well, last night, 96 out of 100 Senators voted. All we would need is 218 out of 435 to vote."
Politicians from both parties, including President Donald Trump, have criticized Massie for delaying the relief package, which will almost certainly pass with or without his support.
Trump tweeted Friday:
"Looks like a third rate Grandstander named [Rep. Thomas Massie,] a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity. He can't stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous & costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn't their fault. It is 'HELL' dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the 'big picture' done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!"
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.