Massie and “DEFUNDING” ICE; Facts Vs. Rhetoric…

Seven Democrats Defy Party To Fund ICE…

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie — a fiscal hawk facing a primary challenger backed by President Donald Trump — was the lone Republican to vote against the DHS spending bill funding ICE, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) among other agencies.


For clarification, the bill Massie voted against was NOT a standalone bill on ICE funding as stated elsewhere on this forum. As indicated in the article above, the provision on funding ICE was part a larger DHS appropriations bill:

…The DHS bill will be bundled alongside three other spending bills, totaling a combined $1.2 trillion in federal spending. The entire package’s passing is a significant step toward averting a government shutdown come Jan. 30.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted on two separate packages on Thursday afternoon. One groups together three spending bills to fund the departments of War, Education, Labor, Transportation and Health and Human Services. The second is a standalone bill funding DHS, which includes ICE.


Massie voted against this bill for the same reason he has opposed countless other omnibus and large appropriation bills under both parties. What Massie opposes is how Congress regularly funds Federal agencies, not on whether ICE should be funded.

Massie consistently objects to massive, bundled spending packages that contain unchecked federal outlays. That’s not a sudden alignment with Democrats; it’s a long-standing, clearly articulated philosophical position by Massie.

Stating that Massie’s opposed funding ICE is grossly misleading. If you want to criticize Massie for prioritizing philosophical principle over political pragmatism, that’s a legitimate criticism and a fair debate.

So if you’re going to criticize Massie — criticize him honestly — not with a drive-by talking point that ignores the reasons behind Massie’s votes. Now, DV away: yet at least be honest on why you are downvoting.