http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/230693-house-gop-conservatives-form-new-freedom-caucusJanuary 26, 2015, 10:02 am
House conservatives form 'Freedom Caucus'
By Cristina Marcos
House GOP conservatives announced a new "Freedom Caucus" on Monday to split from the Republican Study Committee after complaints that it had become too cozy with leadership.
The nine founding members of the group have been frequent thorns in the side of House GOP leadership over the past four years. Many of them voted against giving John Boehner (R-Ohio) another term as Speaker earlier this month.
The mission statement of the House Freedom Caucus says it will give "a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them" and advocate for limited government.
"The House Freedom Caucus gives a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. We support open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans," the mission statement reads.
The caucus is made up of Reps. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), John Fleming (R-La.), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.).
Mulvaney waged a bid to be the new chairman of the RSC last fall, but lost to Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas). House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), a former RSC chairman, reportedly whipped votes for Flores.
