Area representatives comment on Liz Cheney ouster

Here is what Chattanooga area congressional members had to say Wednesday following the ouster of U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, as chair of the House Republican Conference:

› U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah: “The Republican Conference has always respected the independent thoughts and ideals of its rank-and-file members. However, members of the conference’s leadership are expected to articulate and uphold the positions of the majority of our conference.

“I look forward to working with the next conference chair as House Republicans continue to focus on our agenda to support the American people.”

Fleischmann’s office declined to say whether he was supporting U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as she formally announced her bid to replace Cheney. Politico reported that U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is weighing a bid for the House GOP’s No. 3 post as well.

› State Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Sherwood: “Representative Liz Cheney as a member of Congress must answer to her constituents. As a member of House Republican leadership, she had to answer to her conference.

“Cheney could not properly represent the House Republican Conference when her views conflict with the overwhelming majority of the members. Because of this, I voted to remove her from her position as conference chair.”

› U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor

Greene: “I voted a second time to remove Liz Cheney as the chair of the GOP [Conference]. And I stand alongside 74 million+ Trump supporters in opposing Cheney’s Trump derangement syndrome.

“I’ve also asked @GOPLeader [Kevin McCarthy of California] to delay the replacement vote. There should be choices not predetermination.”