Kentucky Lawmakers Clash Over Foreign Aid, Speaker Removal

House Republicans are split over a push to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, with Rep. Tom Massie leading the charge against Johnson's support for foreign aid packages. Despite opposition from Democrats and fellow Republicans, Massie remains steadfast in his belief that Johnson has betrayed the party.

Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., has emerged as a vocal critic of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., over his bipartisan work on government spending and foreign aid. Massie, along with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar, has pushed to oust Johnson from power.

Massie, a libertarian Republican, has a history of defying House leadership. He was one of three GOP rebels who tried to force Johnson out earlier this month, but their bid failed when a majority of Democrats and Republicans blocked a House-wide vote.

Despite criticism from fellow Republicans, Massie claims his constituents support his efforts to remove Johnson. He argues that Johnson has made three "betrayals" to the majority of Republicans, both in Congress and back home in Kentucky.

Massie has also drawn attention for his willingness to confront former President Donald Trump. He was a supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign and has accused Trump of "ridiculous bullying tactics."

The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent millions of dollars against Massie in the recent Republican primary, due to his opposition to legislation affirming U.S. support for Israel and condemning antisemitism. However, Massie downplayed the threat, stating that the election would be a referendum on his positions on foreign aid and other issues.

Massie ultimately prevailed in the three-way Republican primary, paving the way to an eighth term representing his deeply conservative Kentucky district. His victory came despite the significant opposition from AIPAC, demonstrating the influence of his libertarian views among his constituents.

Massie's bid to oust Johnson has created divisions within the House GOP. While some Republicans support Massie's efforts to reduce government spending and foreign aid, others believe his actions could harm the party's chances in the November election.

Despite the opposition he faces, Massie remains determined to hold Johnson accountable for what he sees as betrayals of Republican principles. He has vowed to continue his fight against Johnson's support for foreign aid packages and other measures that he believes violate conservative values.

The clash between Massie and Johnson reflects the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party over the role of government and the party's stance on foreign policy. Massie's primary victory and his continued defiance of party leadership indicate that libertarian and populist sentiments remain strong among a significant portion of Republican voters.