BOEHNER GOES OFF: Conservative Groups Have 'Lost All Credibility'
Dec 12, 2013, 22:22 IST
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"When you criticize something and you have no idea what you're criticizing, you've lost your credibility," Boehner told reporters on Capitol Hill.
"It just comes to a point where some people step over the line," he added, accusing the groups of "misleading their members."
Over the past few days, a number of conservative groups have blasted the deal because it sets discretionary spending levels in the budget higher than previous levels under sequestration. The influential Heritage Action, Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity, and FreedomWorks have all signaled they would oppose the deal. They have all argued that while imperfect, the sequester has provided the only effective check on the Obama administration's spending. When asked if he was telling outside groups to "stand down," Boehner said, simply, "I don't care what they do." Boehner had said on Wednesday that their opposition was "ridiculous," noting that much of it had come before the details of the budget deal had been released. "It was my job and my obligation to stand up for conservatives here in Congress," Boehner said Thursday of his original comments.