The House Freedom Caucus is teaming up with the GOP leadership to fight a common enemy after last year's losses: Democrats.
“You're in the minority — your choice is either swim together or sink together,” said Rep. Mark Walker, vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, reports Politico. “Next thing, they’ll be having drinks together.”
For years, the Freedom Caucus attempted to take power away from establishment leaders, but last week members stopped action on the floor for hours while protesting Democrats' attempt to denounce government shutdowns.
Their action came with the blessing of Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, two months after the Freedom Caucus tried to remove him from the party's top House spot.
“I can come up with all kinds of creative ways to slow down the floor progress," Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., said.
McCarthy said he got along with Freedom Caucus members before, even if it was "probably not" with its leaders, but now he says the GOP conference must "work as one" to be stronger.
Meanwhile, Freedom Caucus members are now part of Republican leadership meetings, including founder Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who is on the House Oversight Committee after McCarthy secured him a seat.
Now, Freedom Caucus members take up more than half of Oversight's GOP members, preparing for fights as Democrats opposing President Donald Trump are expected to wage battles this year.
Also, Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., another Freedom Caucus member, heads the Republican Policy Committee, marking the group's first official leadership seat.