Massie Says 'NO' to Trump-Backed Funding Bill: 'Unless I Get a Lobotomy'

With a partial government shutdown looming, the drama on Capitol Hill is heating up. President Donald Trump has rallied Republicans to back a government funding measure, but Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has made it crystal clear that he’s not playing along.

Massie took to social media on Sunday, stating, "Unless I get a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years, I’ll be a NO on the CR this week." He didn’t hold back, expressing skepticism about what he sees as empty promises of "fighting another day." Clearly, Massie isn’t in the mood for political gamesmanship.

Meanwhile, Trump is all in on the funding measure, urging Republicans to vote for the bill. In a Saturday post on Truth Social, the former president called the proposal a "very good funding Bill ('CR')" and implored GOP lawmakers to "remain UNITED — NO DISSENT — Fight for another day when the timing is right." Trump also framed the measure as a crucial step to keep the government functioning while his administration tackles broader fiscal reforms.

Not everyone in the GOP is resisting. House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., has thrown his support behind the bill. Harris emphasized that the resolution is necessary to advance Trump’s agenda, particularly in combating government waste, fraud, and abuse through the administration’s DOGE initiative. For Harris, keeping the lights on seems to be a priority.

Massie, however, remains unconvinced. He took another swipe at the proposal, questioning why he should vote to continue the waste targeted by DOGE. In a tweet, he griped, "We were told the CR in December would get us to March when we would fight. Here we are in March, punting again! WTFO." Massie’s frustration appears to be rooted in a belief that these funding measures are just kicking the can down the road without addressing deeper fiscal issues.

To its supporters, the bill has some undeniable highlights. According to a House Appropriations Committee press release, the measure would "ensure a costly government shutdown does not befall the American people," boost defense spending, and provide the largest pay raise for junior enlisted troops in over 40 years. It also includes increased funding for air traffic control and allocates $7.6 billion for the WIC program, supporting nutrition for mothers, infants, and children — a $500 million bump requested by the Trump administration.

But Massie’s staunch opposition underscores a familiar tension within the Republican Party: how to balance pragmatic governance with ideological purity. His resistance might resonate with fiscally conservative voters, but it also highlights the challenge of maintaining party unity in a high-stakes moment.