Thomas Massie

(Undated) - New Kentucky 4th District Congressman Thomas Massie takes his oath of office in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.

The Republican from Lewis County won last Tuesday’s election by a 62 to 35 percent landslide over William Adkins. Unlike most other election winners who don’t take office until January, Massie is already in Washington to fill the seat left vacant by former Congressman Geoff Davis.

Davis, a four-term congressman from Hebron, retired suddenly in July citing family health issues.

Massie, 41, quickly has serious business to vote on when the lame duck session begins in Congress next week. The most pressing issue is the federal “fiscal cliff,” the mandatory tax hikes and government spending cuts which will set in January 2. The situation was created through Congress’ 2011 vote to increase the debt ceiling.

Republicans want to extend all the tax cuts.  Democrats want to let the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire.  White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Obama will veto any extension of tax cuts for the rich.

During his campaign, Massie promised to reduce federal spending, extend tax cuts, and scale back foreign aid.