Thomas Massie, U.S. Congressman representing Kentucky’s 4th district since 2012, addressed government funding procedures and legislative transparency in a series of posts on October 8 and 9, 2025.
On October 8, Massie criticized the current approach to government funding negotiations. He stated, “Remember, the swamp loves the threat of a shutdown. By withholding funding for things Americans want, they can get funding for things nobody wants. We should be passing separate funding bills, not one giant funding bill. Reposting this relevant thread from three years ago: https://t.co/EfaUx99yA8”.
Later that day, he proposed an alternative to large omnibus spending packages by advocating for individual appropriations bills. In his words from October 8: “Here’s my solution to the shutdown. Pass 12 separate bills. I made this video in 2018 when Schumer did the same thing he’s doing this week. It’s really worth a watch, because some things never change…. Well… the color of my hair changed but that’s about it! https://t.co/OjWqzQ8voA”.
On October 9, Massie announced new legislation aimed at restricting government communication practices: “I introduced HR 5704 to repeal the 2013 Smith-Mundt Modernization Act and prohibit the domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda. Taxpayer-funded fake news should not be used by the State Department to wage influence campaigns against the American people.”
Massie’s comments come amid recurring debates in Congress over how federal spending bills are structured and passed—often resulting in last-minute negotiations and threats of government shutdowns when consensus cannot be reached.
The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 updated earlier legislation regarding U.S. government communications intended for foreign audiences but has faced criticism from some lawmakers who argue it enables domestic dissemination of federally funded messaging.
Massie was born in Huntington, West Virginia in 1971 and resides in Garrison. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earned in 1993.
