Tensions between the Republican establishment and conservative movement reached a fever pitch Wednesday after House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) attacked conservative groups and a long-time Capitol Hill staffer lost his job as executive director of the Republican Study Committee.
Those developments brought a swift response from the Conservative Action Project, which released a letter signed by more than 50 conservative leaders expressing outrage at Boehner’s remarks and the firing of Paul Teller from his leadership post at the RSC.
We are saddened and outraged that an organization that purports to represent conservatives in Congress would dismiss a staff member for advancing conservatism and working with conservatives outside of Congress. Given this action, and the earlier comments by the Speaker, it is clear that the conservative movement has come under attack on Capitol Hill today.
In comments on the pending budget deal, Boehner scoffed at conservative groups that have voiced concerns about the plan. “They’re using our members and they’re using the American people for their own goals,” he told reporters. “This is ridiculous.”
A few hours later, Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise (R-LA) reportedly fired Teller for “undermin[ing] some GOP lawmakers in an alliance with conservative advocacy groups,” according to the Washington Post.
“We all rely on staff, but we have to have the full trust of our staff. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case,” said Scalise, who narrowly won the RSC chairmanship in a contest with Representative Tom Graves (R-GA) last year.
Teller has not commented on the matter. Meanwhile, the move came as a surprise to members of the Republican Study Committee, according to National Journal.
Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), who serves on the RSC’s steering committee, said, “I didn’t find out about it until I walked in the room.”
“Paul’s one of the most effective staffers on the Hill,” Representative Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) told National Journal. “He helps our cause. And firing him does not.”
The letter signed by more than 50 conservatives leaders came a day after House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) unveiled a plan that increases spending and raises revenues by hiking fees on Americans.
>>> Learn More: 3 Things You Need to Know About the Budget Deal
A copy of the Conservative Action Project letter, including the full list of signers, is below. Four individuals associated with Heritage and Heritage Action — Edwin Meese III, Michael Needham, Ed Corrigan, and Becky Norton Dunlop — signed the letter.
Paul Teller is one of the true heroes of the conservative movement. For over a decade, he has been the guiding light of conservatism on Capitol Hill. No one has done more to advance conservative principles and block the liberal agenda than Paul Teller. In the tradition of President Reagan, he is a true happy warrior who is both forceful and courageous.
Today, we learned that he was dismissed from his service as Executive Director of the Republican Study Committee. Let us be clear. Paul Teller has the 100% support of the conservative movement and conservatives across America. We are saddened and outraged that an organization that purports to represent conservatives in Congress would dismiss a staff member for advancing conservatism and working with conservatives outside of Congress. Given this action, and the earlier comments by the Speaker, it is clear that the conservative movement has come under attack on Capitol Hill today.
We urge all conservative leaders to recognize the tremendous service of our friend Paul Teller, and to redouble your efforts to advance a true conservative agenda on Capitol Hill and across the country.
The Honorable Edwin Meese III
Former Attorney General
President Ronald ReaganThe Honorable David McIntosh
Former Member of Congress
IndianaBrent Bozell
Chairman
For AmericaMike Needham
CEO
Heritage Action for AmericaColin Hanna
President
Let Freedom RingPhyllis Schlafly
Founder & President
Eagle ForumErick Erickson
Editor-in-Chief
RedStateJenny Beth Martin
Co-Founder
Tea Party PatriotsMatt Kibbe
President
FreedomWorksAmy Kremer
Chairman
Tea Party ExpressDavid Bossie
President
Citizens UnitedThe Honorable Becky Norton Dunlop
Former White House Advisor
President Ronald ReaganBill Walton
Chairman
Rappahannock Ventures LLCThe Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell
President
Constitutional Congress, Inc.Cliff May
President
Foundation for the Defense of DemocraciesTom Schatz
President
Council for Citizens Against Government WasteJim Ryun
Chairman
The Madison ProjectThe Honorable T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr.
Former Domestic Advisor
President Ronald ReaganThe Honorable Alfred S. Regnery
Former Publisher
American SpectatorBob Reccord
Executive Director
Council for National PolicyEdward Corrigan
Former Executive Director
Senate Steering CommitteeJim Martin
Chairman
60 Plus AssociationDan Weber
Founder & Chairman
Association of Mature American CitizensPeter J. Thomas
Chairman
The Conservative Caucus, Inc.Curt Levey
President
The Committee for JusticeBob Adams
Founder & President
Revive America PACRalph Benko
President
Center for Civic VirtueAndresen Blom
Senior Strategist
Center for Civic VirtueElaine Donnelly
President
Center for Military ReadinessTommy Sears
Executive Director
Center for Military ReadinessAlex Cortes
Executive Director
Center for Military ReadinessFrank J. Gaffney, Jr.
President & CEO
Center for Security PolicyC. Preston Noell III
President
Tradition, Family, Property, Inc.Frank Cannon
President
American Principles ProjectSusan Carleson
President
American Civil Rights UnionDonald Devine
Vice-Chairman
American Conservative UnionCraig Shirley
Biographer
President Ronald ReaganDiana Banister
Director
Citizens for the RepublicAustin Ruse
President
C-FAMRichard Norman
President
The Richard Norman CompanyMatt Mackowiak
Executive Director
Fight for TomorrowCindy Chafian
President
The Mommy LobbyJohn Tate
President
Campaign for LibertyNorman Kirk Singleton
Vice President of Policy
Campaign for LibertyTerry Scanlon
President
Capital Research CenterMrs. Cleta Mitchell
Jeff Frazee
Executive Director
Young Americans for LibertyDavid Y. Denholm
President
Public Service Research CouncilKay R. Daly
President
Coalition for a Fair JudiciarySandy Rios
Vice President
Family PAC FederalPaul Caprio
President
Patriotic VeteransRick Manning
Vice President, Public Policy & Communications
Americans for Limited GovernmentDan Bongino
Candidate for Congress
Maryland’s Sixth DistrictMark J. Fitzgibbons
American Target AdvertisingJoe Gregory
Gregory Management Company(All organizations listed for identification purposes only)