Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) went after conservative groups in a town hall meeting on Monday, saying he was being assaulted by organizations like the Heritage Foundation.
“I’m under attack by those people,” Lucas said. “They’re coming after me. They are all special interest groups that exist to sell subscriptions, to collect seminar fees and to perpetuate their goals."
His remarks were prompted by constituents who came to the town hall event and were upset that he didn't work to cut more from the farm bill. As the Tulsa World pointed out, the House agriculture committee -- which Lucas chairs -- cut $40 billion.
The Heritage Foundation's advocacy arm has threatened to support a “real conservative” to run against Lucas and has aired radio spots denouncing the congressman's support for the farm bill.
"Lucas is working hard to pass a trillion dollar piece of legislation that he's calling a farm bill. But only 20 percent of the funds would go to support farmers," one of the group's radio ads said. "The rest would go to bankroll President Obama's food stamp agenda."
Lucas argued that the Heritage Foundation was just trying to go after him for financial purposes.
“You’ve got to understand," Lucas said, "they don’t necessarily want a Republican president or a Republican Congress …They made more money when (Democrat) Nancy (Pelosi) was speaker. … It’s a business.”
The Tulsa World reported that roughly a half-dozen people at the town hall Monday told Lucas he should continue cutting money from the farm bill.
"If you want the conservative Republican vote, you need to come forward with a conservative Republican bill," activist Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, who lives outside Lucas' district, told the congressman.
Lucas may have reason to fear conservative pressure. Former Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) lost to tea party candidate Jim Bridenstine in last year's primary election, due in part to Bridenstine's support from conservative groups.
A few individuals at Lucas' event also reportedly wanted to know why Obama has not yet been impeached.
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