When the House Freedom Caucus launched in 2015, a senior Appropriations Committee member would likely be among the last lawmakers the hard-line group, a perennial thorn in the side of GOP leadership, would choose as its leader.
But nearly 10 years later, the caucus has evolved and has infiltrated the powerful spending panel, with whom it has often been at odds. In the latest development, Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., an Appropriations subcommittee chairman or “cardinal,” is now the Freedom Caucus chairman.
Harris, whom the group chose on Sept. 17 to lead it through the rest of the year, said he will use his understanding of the appropriations process to push for the most conservative spending outcomes possible.
