House Freedom Caucus a Real Opportunity for Conservatism in Washington

conservativereview.com ^ | 1/27/15 | Daniel Horowitz

[cotton1706]

Ever since Republicans swept the midterm elections in November, we’ve had to report on a lot of disappointing news for conservatives. Some days it’s almost as if the elections never occurred. But today, we have some positive and promising news with the formation of a new formal House conservative group, the Freedom Caucus.

We have been arguing for quite some time that conservatives needed a new home outside of the ineffective Republican Study Committee – a working group to collaborate, strategize, and reassert control over party leadership that is more concerned with lobbyist wish lists than providing a bold conservative contrast to Obama’s pernicious policies. In December, following the failure to defeat the Cromnibus bill, we noted that a group of 30 conservatives can proactively leverage against leadership and deny them the requisite votes needed to pass bad policies. And it appears that a group of conservative members plan to do just that.

The Freedom Caucus was founded by nine conservative members who will guide its operations and strategic decisions: Reps. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), John Fleming (R-La.), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho), Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.). Jordan will serve as the temporary leader of the group until further notice. They have carefully selected roughly 20 more members to join them and are aiming for a membership of 40. The goal is to have 30 plus votes when necessary, to serve as a check against party leadership and be a voice for conservatives.

[Bronzewound]

I have become skeptical of good news these days. When does it ever come to pass?

Sorry. That's just my immediate reaction to any glimmer of hope, even as I fervently hope & pray I am wrong.

[SumProVita]

There seems to be some positive movement here, but this nation has NOT turned back to God. I do not see politicians as able to solve our problems at this point.

Pray for our country.

[Borderline]

  How else should these 'conservative' congresscritters show us their outstanding 'conservative values' except by virtue of a public display, a caucus, if you will, that will firmly prove their worth, their mettle, their unflinching, unwavering commitment to conservative principles.

  After all, they can't actually vote their way into our hearts