Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) has formally resigned from the House of Representatives’ conservative Freedom Caucus after the failure of the GOP’s effort to repeal and replace Obamacare.
“I have resigned from the House Freedom Caucus,” Ted Poe said in a statement Sunday, Fox News reported.
“In order to deliver on the conservative agenda we have promised the American people for eight years, we must come together to find solutions to move this country forward,” Poe added.
Rep. Poe said his decision to quit the conservative group would allow him to be a better congressman.
“Saying no is easy, leading is hard, but that is what we were elected to do. Leaving this caucus will allow me to be a more effective member of Congress and advocate for the people of Texas. It is time to lead,” Poe said.
Rep Ted Poe (R-TX) resigns from Freedom Caucus. Tells Meadows. Had planned to vote yea on health care bill
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 26, 2017
The congressman from Humble, Texas, had announced his intention to vote “yes” on the bill House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WS) was supporting last week. In a March 24 tweet, Poe said the GOP needs to be more than the “party of no.”
Thx for your leadership @realDonaldTrump @SpeakerRyan Some only want to be the party of 'no' & would've voted against the 10 commandments
— Ted Poe (@JudgeTedPoe) March 24, 2017
While the Freedom Caucus does not maintain a formal list of members — though there are up to 40 members — Poe was a more recent addition.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.
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