"Saying no is easy, leading is hard, but that is what we were elected to do," Ted Poe said. | Getty Freedom Caucus member resigns from group over Obamacare rift

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) resigned from the House Freedom Caucus over the group's opposition to the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.

"I have resigned from the House Freedom Caucus. In order 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," Poe wrote 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."


The group of roughly three-dozen arch-conservatives — along with a handful of moderates — denied Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump the votes they needed to get their Obamacare repeal legislation through the House.

Poe had planned to back the president and Republican leaders.

"Thx for your leadership @realDonaldTrump @SpeakerRyan Some only want to be the party of 'no' & would've voted against the 10 commandments," the seven-term Republican wrote on Twitter Friday, after Ryan pulled the party's health care bill from the House floor.