Rep. Ted Poe announced Sunday his resignation from the conservative House Freedom Caucus over the group’s role in killing a bill that would have repealed and replaced Obamacare.
The Texas Republican said the group of about three dozen arch-conservatives who were instrumental in derailing the legislation had failed to lead.
“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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pulled the bill from the floor Friday because it lacked enough Republican votes to pass. President Trump backed the decision.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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