WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday urged primary challenges against Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the only two House Republicans to vote against his sweeping budget bill, citing their opposition as disloyalty to the party.
The bill, which passed the House, includes new work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps, makes Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, rolls back climate policies, and eliminates taxes on tips. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland voted present.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the representatives “grandstanders” and said Trump supports primary challengers to unseat them. “The president believes the Republican Party needs to be unified,” Leavitt told reporters Wednesday. “The vast majority of Republicans are listening to the president.”
Davidson and Massie defended their votes, arguing the bill fails to address the national deficit. “While I love many things in the bill, promising someone else will cut spending in the future does not cut spending,” Davidson posted on X. “Deficits do matter and this bill grows them now.”
Massie, who has faced Trump’s ire before, used the criticism to fundraise. “I chose to vote against it because it’s going to blow up our debt,” Massie posted on X, asking supporters to donate to his campaign.
Trump earlier this week singled out Massie, saying the Kentucky congressman “should be voted out of office.” A spokesperson for Davidson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.