Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) resigned from the House Freedom Caucus Sunday after Republicans failed to pass the American Health Care Act Friday.
Poe had committed to voting for the legislation and told President Trump of his intention.
“To deliver on the conservative agenda we have promised the American people for eight years, we must come together to find solutions to move this country forward," he said in a statement. "Saying no is easy, leading is hard, but that is what we were elected to do. Leaving this caucus will allow me to be a more effective member of Congress and advocate for the people of Texas. It is time to lead."
Poe’s announcement came shortly after Trump called out the Freedom Caucus along with the Heritage Foundation and Club for Growth for not supporting the measure.
“Democrats are smiling in D.C. that the Freedom Caucus, with the help of Club For Growth and Heritage, have saved Planned Parenthood & Ocare!,” Trump tweeted.
House Speaker Paul Ryan called off Friday’s vote after realizing there wasn’t enough Republican support to meet the requisite 216 votes needed to pass the legislation, which was due in large to strong opposition from members of the House Freedom Caucus.