Republican Rep. Tom McClintock quit the House Freedom Caucus Wednesday amid the group’s threat to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood funding.
In his resignation letter, the California Republican said that while he supports the caucus’ conservative principles, he thinks its tactics have “repeatedly undermined the House’s ability to advance them.”
The congressman listed several incidents — including its approach on the Iran Deal, a dispute of Department of Homeland Security funding and a free trade bill it helped block in May — which members sided or threatened to side with Democrats in an attempt to advance their policies, a move he believes backfired.
Most recently, the group vowed not to vote for any short-term or long-term bill funding the government if any Planned Parenthood funding is attached, a move he believes will shield the left from taking responsibility for a government shutdown.
“I have strongly opposed the public funding of abortions throughout my 29 years in public office, but this tactic promises only to shield Senate Democrats from their responsibility for a government shutdown and to alienate the public from the pro-life cause at precisely the time when undercover videos of Planned Parenthood’s barbaric practices are turning public opinion in our favor,” he wrote.
According to a CNN poll, 71 percent of Americans want to avoid a government shutdown.
Follow Juliegrace Brufke on Twitter
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.