Washington -- Over the weekend, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) stripped Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) of his post as a subcommittee chairman. Earlier in the week, House Republican leaders removed Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) from the whip team because they too voted against a procedural motion intended to pave the way for fast track trade authority. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"The alliance between congressional leadership and the special interests that run Washington was on full display this weekend. Instead of working with conservatives, the Republican party leadership worked with Nancy Pelosi and then punished conservatives for not going along. Mark Meadows was right to stand by his constituents. For all the talk about 'broadening the party' it appears conservatives are now unwelcome."