Good morning! Today is Saturday, June 6th 2026, and this is The American Conservative's Morning Brief. Jack Hunter reports that Thomas Massie, fresh off the most expensive primary loss in American history, has already filed for 2028 and is escalating his confrontations with pro-Israel donors, neoconservatives, and even the White House. David Brady covers the House passing the Ukraine Support Act 226 to 195, with just 18 Republicans on board—a sharp drop from the 101 who backed Ukraine aid in 2024—though the Senate is unlikely to take it up. Harrison Berger tracks the fraying Iran ceasefire on day 59, as Tehran claims warning strikes on U.S. Navy vessels, CENTCOM denies it, and Lebanon's president accuses Iran of using his country as a bargaining chip. and now for the details. We begin this morning in Kentucky, where Congressman Thomas Massie is showing no signs of retreat after losing what's been called the most expensive primary race in American history. Just days after his defeat last month, Massie filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2028 House race, while leaving open the possibility of a run for the White House. According to FEC data, Massie received donations from over 1,100 individuals actually living in Kentucky, compared to just 98 for his Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein. Megyn Kelly has reported that an estimated thirty million dollars was spent by pro-Israel groups to unseat him. As Jack Hunter reports for The American Conservative, rather than backing down, Massie is calling these forces out more directly than ever. When the head of the Republican Jewish Coalition boasted that his group spent five million dollars to defeat Massie, the congressman pointed out the contradiction of openly bragging about the very influence that critics are told doesn't exist. Hunter notes Massie has continued to press his America First agenda in his remaining months in office, cosponsoring the Iran War Powers Resolution that passed the House this week with the support of three other Republicans, introducing the Block the Bombs Act to limit offensive weapons transfers to Israel, and pledging to strip a provision from the National Defense Authorization Act that would integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries. On that point, Massie was joined by California Democrat Ro Khanna, who pledged a parallel amendment in committee. Hunter writes that Massie isn't acting like a defeated man—he acts more like someone who's just getting started. Turning to Capitol Hill, the House passed the Ukraine Support Act Thursday evening by a vote of 226 to 195. Eighteen Republicans and Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley of California joined all but one Democrat to advance the measure, which authorizes eight billion dollars in loans to Ukraine and NATO allies, another billion dollars in additional funds for Ukraine and the Baltic states, and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2027. The bill also introduces new sanctions targeting Russian energy and mining sectors. The Senate is unlikely to take up the legislation. David Brady reports for The American Conservative that several Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee supported the measure, including Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Mike Turner of Ohio, and Don Bacon of Nebraska. Brady highlights a notable shift in the GOP coalition: the support of just 18 House Republicans marks a steep decline from the 101 Republicans who backed a Ukraine security supplemental back in 2024. Overseas, the fragile ceasefire to the Iran War entered its 59th day Friday amid new signs of strain. Tehran said it fired what it called "warning missiles" and drones at U.S. Navy vessels in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. Central Command flatly denied the reports, calling them false and saying any such action would be a gross violation of the ceasefire. Iran's Quds Force and Revolutionary Guard have tied an end to the war to a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, and Tehran has said it will suspend indirect peace negotiations with Washington over the issue. Harrison Berger reports for The American Conservative that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in an interview with CNN, criticized Iran for using Lebanon as what he called "a bargaining chip" in its negotiations with the United States. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, rejected the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. Berger notes the Lebanese Health Ministry reports Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 3,558 people in Lebanon since March 2nd, while Hezbollah attacks have killed 29 Israeli soldiers and three civilians over the same period. Brent Crude oil sat at $93.30 Friday morning, and AAA reported the national average price for regular gasoline at $4.22 a gallon. Those are today's highlights. For the full stories and more, visit theamericanconservative.com. Thank you for starting your morning with us.
