After Ike Dike funding cut, US Rep. Randy Weber breaks from Freedom Caucus in budget fight
By Matthew Choi
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U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus aggressively pushing to rein in federal spending, said he’s worried his colleagues may be going too far.
The deeply conservative Friendswood Republican holds a distinction that separates him from several other caucus members: He is Congress’ top requester of earmarks this year at a time when many fellow conservatives have turned their backs on steering funds to local projects in their districts.
His asks include $100 million for the Ike Dike, an ambitious Gulf Coast hurricane protection project, as well as protections for some of the nation’s biggest energy and trade facilities. And as Republicans fight over how to trim federal spending amid a looming government shutdown, Weber fears some projects that Republicans have been vocal to defend could be threatened.
“Absolutely, that's the case,” Weber said in a recent interview.