Thomas Massie

Hemp Bill Sails Through Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee

Kenny Colston — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:15:11 +0000

After testimony from a bevy of high-level supporters, the state Senate agriculture committee unanimously approved Monday a bill that would establish oversight for Kentucky industrial hemp farmer if hemp were made legal federally.

Agriculture Commission James Comer—the leading proponent of industrial hemp in Kentucky—recruited U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie and John Yarmuth to speak in favor of the bill at the committee, as well as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. But the bill has opposition from many law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police and Operation UNITE, a federally-funded program.

The crop could create jobs in Kentucky in agriculture and other industries through hemp's use as a strong material, said Comer, a Republican. The legislative approved in committee Monday, Senate Bill 50, is Comer's chief legislative priority.

Can The Kentucky Tea Party Win? An Election Analysis

Kenny Colston — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:58:16 +0000

With the news that more than a dozen tea party groups are actively recruiting a GOP candidate to run against U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014, it’s worth taking a look at how Kentucky tea party-endorsed candidates have fared in statewide or Congressional races.

Since forming in the run up to the 2010 mid-term elections, Kentucky's tea party has won more than a third of the races its challenged for prominent offices, and its candidates have won several primaries over Republican establishment candidates.

Here's a rundown:

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul Won't Back Second Sandy Relief Bill

Kenny Colston — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The Senate this week will take up relief payments for areas hit by Superstorm Sandy, and Senator Rand Paul says he will oppose the measure. Paul says the Northeast does need help after the storm, but he would like to offset the costs with spending cuts elsewhere in government.

A measure authorizing $9 billion in relief already passed Congress. The Republican-controlled House recently approved an additional $51 billion package, which Paul says is laden with pork spending.

“I would have given them 9 billion and I would’ve taken the 9 billion from somewhere else. I would have taken it from foreign aid and said you know what, we don’t have money for Egypt or Pakistan this year because we have to help the Northeast.”

Kentucky Congressmen Brett Guthrie, Andy Barr and Thomas Massie all opposed the legislation in the House.

Politico: Kentucky Rep. Earning Reputation as Someone Willing to Say "No"

Kevin Willis — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:20:14 +0000

The newest member of Kentucky's congressional delegation is fast becoming known as someone who is willing to vote "no"--including against measures favored by his own party.

According to Politico, Rep. Thomas Massie has voted against the fiscal cliff deal negotiated between fellow Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell and the White House, the National Defense Authorization Act, and all bills aimed at providing aid for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy in the northeast.

Massie is a 42-year-old M.I.T. graduate who easily won November's election to fill the vacant Fourth District U.S. House seat, which covers a stretch of northern and northeastern Kentucky.

Freshman Kentucky Congressman Seeks to Repeal Gun Free School Zones Act

Kevin Willis — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:04:10 +0000

Kentucky's fourth district U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie says he wants to repeal the 1990 Gun Free School Zones Act, according to a published report.

The Lewis County Republican was sworn into office this week in Washington D.C., and receives great support from the Tea Party.

“Gun free school zones are ineffective. They make people less safe by inviting criminals into target-rich, no-risk environments,” Massie said in a statement. “Gun free zones prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves, and create vulnerable populations that are targeted by criminals.”