Posted on 12/07/2012 5:18:59 PM PST by Libloather
Ousted GOP freshmen demand explanation from Speaker Boehner
By Justin Sink - 12/07/12 06:20 PM ET
Three Republican congressmen who were booted from House committees are demanding an explanation from Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) sent a letter to Boehner asking for "a full and complete written explanation of the rationale for removing us from our current committee assignments, including any 'scorecards' presented to the Steering Committee to justify our removals."
Two days ago I asked House GOP Leadership to explain why we were taken off key committees, but my questions have gone unanswered, Huelskamp said in a statement. Not only do I deserve answers, but the people of Kansas deserve to know as well. And, my colleagues who have been safe so far should know to how they can avoid retribution in the future. After all, the entire GOP conference was warned last week that leadership is watching their votes as well."
All three lawmakers were reportedly punished for bucking House leaders on important votes. Amash and Huelskamp were removed from the Budget Committee, while Schweikert was kicked off the Agriculture panel.
The removals have become a brewing controversy within the Republican ranks, with Tea Party groups and organizations like the Club for Growth rallying to their defense.
In the letter to Boehner, the lawmakers complained that some GOP members learned of their removal through news reports rather than from the Steering Committee, and complain that the Speaker had never indicated which specific votes could lead to their committee removal.
"Through this past term, we were not aware that any such scorecard existed, nor that the scores would cause us to be removed from committee assignments," they wrote. "We believe this would be valuable information for the entire Republican Conference to know, so that each Member can make a full and complete decision when casting votes in the future."
The lawmakers requested a response from Boehner by the close of business on Monday.
Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), who was removed from the Financial Services committee, did not sign the letter.
All four of the lawmakers voted against the Budget Control Act last year that ultimately raised the debt ceiling, but set up the automatic triggers that may come if legislators are unable to reach a resolution to the "fiscal cliff."
The letter is seen as the opening salvo in what could become a nasty fight for the Speaker. Some Republicans are upset that Boehner has already signaled a willingness to compromise with President Obama on increased revenues, and American Majority, a Virginia-based conservative activist group, said this week they would lobby Republicans in the House not to vote for Boehner to retain his gavel.
On Friday, Amash said he would not commit to voting for Boehner as Speaker.
"We're going to see how the next few weeks go and whether he's willing to make amends," Amash told CNN's "Starting Point." "Right now I'm not very happy with the Speaker."
Maybe they were in on the take yet so there was nothing to blackmail them with.
They never removed any leftists. Only a scandal got anyone removed before this.
were = weren’t
Boehner not only gave the finger to those congressmen, he gave it to their entire districts who are pleased with them, and to TEA.
He has to go. Tire of the tanned crybaby.
/johnny
When the Republicans retook the House in 2010 and then elected Boehner Speaker I groaned because we all knew he is a career go-along, get-along hack. I had hoped he would be ousted by now. But finally there is now open talk about getting rid of this loser. That’s at least progress.
There needs to be a wholesale leadership change, however, as Cantor and McCarthy appear to be as weak as Boehner. We need someone like Schweiker, Huelskampt, Amash, Gohmert, or Jordan.
Libloather~: (from the article) “ All three lawmakers were reportedly punished for bucking House leaders on important votes.”
What House leadership ? I haven’t seen any !!
How do you end a tantrum : You spank him !
You can’t compromise or capitluate with a power tantrum,
or else, wait until you see what is fabricated next week (!)
I wasn't overly impressed with the paid operatives of my local Republican Party. They were entirely too comfortable with evasions and outright lies.
I don't consider myself a member of the GOP.
I am a Republican.
Looks like the “big tent” is filled with RINOs now, and former Democrats are fully in controll of the former Republican Party.
Count me out.
Heard from an insider that Boehner’s people are telling people on the Hill that there are financial irregularaties behind the some of the removals. Specifically something that they aren’t going to make public. Just trust that it’s a good reason, not related to ideology and you’re only getting part of the story.
Not buying it, but that’s what’s being said.
Mr. Boehner may be losing his majority.
Pity that.
And what is Mr. Ryan saying?
How do you end a tantrum : You spank him !
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Maybe “WE” should throw a tantrum.
If enough people flood the phones and emails DEMANDING answers and change - with the threat - NO, Promise - that WE will work for their opponent next election if they do not get in line - be it in the primary and if no one runs against them, cross the aisle. ANYTHING to get them out. Should only take one GOOD arse whipping to bring the next group of Senators to their senses also. As long as ‘we’ do nothing, they will continue to act like they are the pigeons and we are the statues..
The only thing over these slugs heads is FEAR and it should be time for them to learn who they are working for.
I am really impressed when the very people that just reelected these fools are complaining about them before they are even seated.
Did the people think Boner was going to change?
Amerika...you are gone! Both partys want the same thing. Its just a matter of how fast they want to get there.. Totalitarian rule is the game plan. The only question is ,”Who is going to be the quarterback?” Obama is going for the ‘Bomb’ Boehner is grinding it out, yard by painful yard.
How much do you want to bet that crybaby Boehner had a huge role to play in the Florida redistricting of Allen West?
Boehner, working overtime to fragment whatever coalition exists in the Republican House between Republicans and the Conservative Republicans and Tea Party Republicans. It’s past time to dump Boehner. I’ve contacted my Congressman twice about this, I’ll call again Monday. Maybe this time I’ll get a response.
Maybe Obama ordered their removal?
Babes in the Woods.
Until the TPs learn that they must GO LOWER into the Pubbie trenches and root out the fossilized committee people, they will be shouting into the wind.
Before you can oust the likes of the No Nutz Putz, you have GOT to get rid of the polyester people AT THE BOTTOM of the pubbie food chain.
When you understand what I have just posted, you will be ready for 2014.
A contested race for committeeman/woman sends a lightning bolt up the GOP's @$$ like you have never seen.
John Boehner AKA "The No Nutz Putz"
Blow the whole thing up and start from square one.
Any national political party that couldn’t pull it together enough to beat Barack Obama after four years of utter failure isn’t worth supporting.
The Republican “leadership” would rather eat the democrat’s scraps than lose their place at he pig trough.
And they don’t like upstart conservatives and new blood who won’t join the system.
If u post that again....I'm gonna expose my research on your dubious business dealings....
(I work for the IRS...*G*...but pay no never mind)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.