Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Wednesday signaled little appetite for rejoining the House Freedom Caucus, saying she prefers being a "free agent."
Why it matters: The conservative bomb-thrower and erstwhile GOP leadership antagonist has increasingly drifted into the establishment fold.
- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is even hosting a fundraiser for Greene in D.C. on Wednesday afternoon, she told reporters.
- Green said the fundraiser has been "planned for quite a while."
What she's saying: After dodging calls from Freedom Caucus members over the recess following a vote by members of the right-wing group to remove her, Greene said Wednesday, "I haven't talked with them."
- But the Georgia congresswoman, based on news reports, acknowledged she is "probably not" a member anymore.
- Asked if she would be interested in rejoining the caucus at some point, Greene said, "I think I enjoy being a free agent a lot better."
The intrigue: As Greene is locking arms with leadership, she is also threatening to tank a key defense bill McCarthy is trying to shepherd through the House this week.
- Greene wants to remove $300 million in Ukraine aid and hold a separate vote on the funds, which she acknowledges would likely pass anyway.
- If that doesn't happen, she said, it could be a "sticking point" for her on a procedural vote in which a few GOP defections could block consideration of the bill.
The backdrop: Freedom Caucus members have grown frustrated with Greene increasingly siding with McCarthy in his fights with the group, even going so far as to publicly criticize some members.
- McCarthy rushed to her defense on Wednesday, calling her "one of the best members we have" and calling her ouster "a loss for the Freedom Caucus."
- "I support Marjorie Greene very strongly," he added.
