John Kerry: GOP lawmaker against coronavirus package ‘tested positive for being an —hole’

Former Secretary of State John Kerry said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) “tested positive for being an asshole” after he opposed the Senate-passed coronavirus stimulus bill and threatened to call for a roll call vote on it in the House. 

“Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He’s given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!),” Kerry, who represented Massachusetts in the Senate, said in a tweet on Friday.

Kerry’s comments were in response to a tweet from President Trump, who criticized Massie for stalling the bill, calling him a “third rate Grandstander.”

Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He’s given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!) https://t.co/N1CNLPsZjc

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 27, 2020

Trump, who also called for Massie to be thrown out of the Republican Party, later shared Kerry’s tweet, saying he was “very impressed” by the former secretary of State’s “sense of humor.”

Never knew John Kerry had such a good sense of humor! Very impressed! https://t.co/vCVNMUeY2h

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020

House leaders hoped to pass the bill unanimously in a voice vote on Friday, but Massie’s threat to force a roll call forced lawmakers into returning to Washington. 

Massie, a libertarian-minded congressman, was also attacked by fellow lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.  

“Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible,” Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) tweeted early Friday morning. 

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) echoed King’s frustrations, noting a sizable number of members could not make it after being impacted by the virus. 

“Flying back to DC to vote for the stimulus bill. It could pass on a voice vote but some members want to make a statement by potentially asking for an in-person vote. Not all my colleagues can go back for health reasons. So, I’m doing it for them & for my constituents,” he tweeted.

Updated: 12:25 p.m.