Washington - In a swift reversal, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) will keep his position as freshman class president and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) will be reinstated as chairman of his subcommittee. Both had been targeted for retribution because of their votes against fast-track trade authority. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"By standing up to the bullying of Republican leadership, Ken Buck and Mark Meadows did right by their constituents and their duty to vote their conscience. We are under no illusion though that Republican leaders are suddenly willing to respect conservative lawmakers and embrace solutions that provide opportunity for all and favoritism to none. It will take a lot of time to build that trust. Speaker Boehner could begin that process today by declaring the Export-Import Bank dead and using reconciliation to put a full repeal of Obamacare on the president's desk. More lawmakers should understand that when they stand for their principles and their constituents, conservatives across the country will stand with them against the DC establishment. "