U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Tulsa is vowing not to vote to re-elect U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, criticizing his fellow Republican from Ohio over a budget deal forged with President Barack Obama.
In a statement on Friday, Bridenstine says the $1.1 trillion spending bill that funds the federal government for the next 10 months takes away the best tool Republicans have to "rein in our liberal activist President: the power of the purse."
A tea party favorite who upset a five-term incumbent Republican in 2012, Bridenstine also did not vote for Boehner two years ago, opting instead to support Rep. Eric Cantor.
Bridenstine did not indicate who he planned to support instead of Boehner.
The new Congress will be formally sworn into office next week.
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