Key Takeaways:
- Rep. Chip Roy defends Rep. Thomas Massie after President Trump criticized Massie for opposing the GOP’s government funding bill.
- Roy disagrees with Massie’s vote but supports his friend’s commitment to fiscal conservatism.
- Roy stresses the importance of working together under the current administration to address government spending issues.
Roy Defends Massie Amid Trump’s Backlash
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas came to the defense of his fellow Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, after President Donald Trump criticized Massie for refusing to support the House GOP’s government funding bill. Trump even threatened to unseat Massie for his “no” vote, but Roy stood by his friend during a CNN interview.
“Thomas is a great friend,” Roy said. “Having been the recipient of some similar tweets, you know, the sun comes up tomorrow.”
Roy emphasized that Massie works hard every day to serve his constituents, just like he does. He made it clear that disagreements within the party are normal, especially when it comes to complex issues like government funding.
Disagreement Over Strategy, Not Values
While Roy supports Massie personally, he disagreed with his decision to vote against the spending bill. Roy believes the Republican Party has a rare opportunity to make a difference now that they control the White House and Congress. He mentioned figures like President Trump, Russ Vought at the Office of Management and Budget, and Elon Musk as key players in addressing government waste and abuse.
“I just disagree with Thomas,” Roy told CNN’s Kasie Hunt. “We have the chance to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and do what the American people elected us to do.”
Roy added that he’s not a big fan of short-term funding bills, known as Continuing Resolutions (CRs), but he’s open to using them if they help achieve the party’s goals. However, he said he generally agrees with what President Trump is doing and believes this is a good time to act.
Focus on Serving Constituents
Despite the disagreement, Roy stressed that the focus should remain on working for the people who elected them. He highlighted the importance of staying united as Republicans, even when they don’t see eye-to-eye on every issue.
Roy also mentioned that he’s not like other lawmakers who completely reject CRs or fully support them. He takes a more balanced approach, considering whether they help achieve strategic goals.
For now, Roy is optimistic about the direction of the country under President Trump and believes Republicans can make real progress in addressing government spending issues.
The situation shows how even within the same party, lawmakers can have differing opinions but still work toward common goals. For Roy and Massie, their friendship and commitment to conservatism remain strong, even in the face of political challenges.