Freedom Caucus votes to remove Ken Buck

by MYCHAEL SCHNELL at thehill.com

The House Freedom Caucus voted to remove Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) from the group Tuesday night, three members of the conservative group told The Hill, a dismissal that comes days before he is set to retire from Congress.

One of the Freedom Caucus members, who requested anonymity to discuss the internal proceedings, said the group decided to oust Buck because he has not been a member in “good standing” and has not regularly attended meetings of the body “in months.”

The source also said Buck — who has frequently broken from his party on various issues — was removed because “he hasn’t been with conservatives on several major issues” and “is leaving the conference hanging with a historically narrow margin.”

Buck was informed of the group’s decision Tuesday night, the source added.

Buck’s office declined to comment. A Freedom Caucus spokesperson told The Hill that the group “does not comment on membership or internal processes.” The Hill was first to report on Buck’s removal.

The conservative group voted to exile Buck three days before he is scheduled to leave Congress.