On March 11, the fiscally-conservative Club for Growth joined with other conservative organizations in urging Members of Congress to vote against a short-term continuing resolutions.
The Club for Growth is one of the most powerful conservative organizations in America, and they are known for getting involved in primaries — often spending money to defeat Republicans who vote against their free market conservative agenda.
That’s why I found it interesting that — while 54 bold Republicans voted against Tuesday’s CR — seven of the Members of Congress voting for the CR (and with Speaker John Boehner) — were candidates The Club endorsed in 2010.
The list includes: David Schweikert (AZ), Nan Hayworth (NY), Tim Griffin (AR), Mike Pompeo (KS), Stephen Fincher (TN), Tim Scott (SC), and Todd Young (IN). (It should be noted that many Club-endorsed candidates also voted against the CR).
The Club’s opposition to the CR was unambiguous. In a press release issued earlier this week, Club for Growth President Chris Chocola called the CR a “trap” and warned that “fiscally conservative House members should insist on more than a short-term CR now.”
It’s too early to draw too many conclusions, but could it be that Republican leadership is starting to exert more influence over some conservatives in Congress?