Yesterday, it seemed as though Speaker John Boehner’s, R-Ohio, debt hike plan was destined for the ash heap of history. Today, it seems that once wary conservatives have rallied around the Speaker. The difference: over-eager lobbying from outside groups pushed some possible converts back into Boehner’s arms. Roll Call reports:
The GOP rank and file tore into Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio) on Wednesday for his role in coordinated attacks on Republicans who have backed Speaker John Boehner’s (Ohio) debt limit proposal. … The RSC, Heritage Action for America and others have closely coordinated their opposition to Boehner’s debt plan — including circulating a public pressure hit list of Republicans prepared by the RSC.
Significantly, several of the Members on the list are also members of the RSC and were none too pleased that their dues were being used to gin up attacks against them, according to numerous lawmakers and staff.
The list was circulated to Heritage Action and other members of the Cut, Cap and Balance Coalition and Erick Erickson … Reps. Renee Ellmers (N.C.), Bill Flores (Texas) and others who found themselves on the list gave angry speeches about the incident, and at least one lawmaker demanded Jordan fire the junior staffer for sending out the email.
Significantly, several of the Members on the list are also members of the RSC and were none too pleased that their dues were being used to gin up attacks against them, according to numerous lawmakers and staff.
The list was circulated to Heritage Action and other members of the Cut, Cap and Balance Coalition and Erick Erickson … Reps. Renee Ellmers (N.C.), Bill Flores (Texas) and others who found themselves on the list gave angry speeches about the incident, and at least one lawmaker demanded Jordan fire the junior staffer for sending out the email.
RSC Communications Director Brian Straessle emails in with this statement:
Earlier this week, an RSC staffer sent an inappropriate email to outside groups that identified members of Congress he believed were undecided on the debt reduction proposal offered by the Speaker. This action was clearly inappropriate and was not authorized by the Chairman, the Executive Director, or any other members of the staff. Chairman Jordan apologized to members for this breach of trust at the Conference and RSC meetings earlier today. This has never been – and never will be – the way we do business at the RSC. We apologize to everyone affected, and we have already taken steps to ensure that it never happens again – either by this staffer or any other RSC staffer.
