Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has expressed his support for Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) decision to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), emphasizing the importance of having a leader within the House Republican party who possesses both “courage” and “intestinal fortitude.”
Rand Paul said:
“I think Thomas Massie is doing the right thing, and I think that Republicans need real leadership. We need to use our power; our people are frustrated. Why don’t we use the power of the purse? Why does the debt keep getting bigger even when Republicans are in charge of the House? So, I think we need somebody that has some courage and some intestinal fortitude.”
KY Sen. Rand Paul told me today "Thomas Massie's doing the right thing" after his fellow Kentuckian called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign from his leadership position @SpectrumNews1KY @SpectrumNewsDC @RandPaul @RepThomasMassie pic.twitter.com/YzqI7MGbfM
— Erin Kelly (@ErinKYSpectrum) April 17, 2024
Paul’s remarks came after Massie joined Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in supporting the motion to vacate in order to oust Johnson from his position as the House leader.
“Every negotiation he’s [Johnson] gone into with Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden, he’s received nothing in exchange. He’s either not good at negotiating, or he’s negotiating for their side,” Massie said.
“He’s done an omnibus that broke Nancy Pelosi’s spending records. He reauthorized FISA without warrants. Now he’s going for the trifecta to pass the Ukraine spending without doing anything to enforce our border,” he continued. “That will be three strikes in addition to just the poor management of the House.”
“Thank you @RandPaul for…supporting our efforts to restore fiscal sanity and constitutionally limited government here in the House. Our leadership is failing us,” Massie wrote in response.
Thank you @RandPaul for the supporting our efforts to restore fiscal sanity and constitutionally limited government here in the House. Our leadership is failing us. https://t.co/4M4bx1QJmZ
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 17, 2024