Politics in D.C. can feel like a maze of secret handshakes and closed-door meetings. If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve probably heard one name pop up over and over when things get heated on the House floor: the House Freedom Caucus. They're basically the rebellious wing of the Republican party, and honestly, they've turned "saying no" into a high-stakes art form.
But here is the thing.
The caucus is notoriously private. They don't just hand out a public roster like a high school football team. To figure out who are members of House Freedom Caucus, you have to look at who is voting together, who is showing up at the press conferences, and who is currently steering the ship in the 119th Congress.
The Current Leadership: Who Is Running the Show?
Right now, in 2026, the man at the top is Rep. Andy Harris from Maryland. He was re-elected as Chairman in late 2025 to lead the group through the end of this year. Harris is interesting because he’s an original member—one of the guys who was there back in 2015 when the group first split off from the Republican Study Committee.
Under Harris, the leadership structure is pretty tight. You have Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina serving as Vice Chair, and the policy side is handled by Rep. Chip Roy from Texas. Roy is basically the group’s "intellectual engine," the guy who dives deep into the text of bills to find the "poison pills" the group hates.
Then there’s the board. This usually includes heavy hitters like Jim Jordan of Ohio, who co-founded the thing and still carries massive weight in the room.
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A State-by-State Look: Who Are Members of House Freedom Caucus?
Because the group is selective, the membership list shifts. People get voted out (like Marjorie Taylor Greene or Warren Davidson in previous years), and new faces join after elections. As of the 119th Congress, here are the core members you’ll see making headlines.
The Power Players from Texas and the South
Texas has always been a stronghold for this crowd. Rep. Michael Cloud, Rep. Keith Self, and a newcomer, Rep. Brandon Gill, represent the Lone Star State’s contingent alongside Chip Roy. Moving over to Alabama, you’ve got Rep. Barry Moore and Rep. Gary Palmer, though Moore has been eyeing a Senate run lately.
Tennessee is another major hub. The volunteer state sends a big chunk of the caucus to D.C., including:
- Rep. Diana Harshbarger
- Rep. Andy Ogles
- Rep. Scott DesJarlais
- Rep. Mark Green (the guy who chairs the Homeland Security Committee)
The Western Front and Beyond
Out West, Arizona is the place to watch. Rep. Andy Biggs—a former chair himself—is a fixture, along with Rep. Paul Gosar and Rep. Eli Crane. Up in Wyoming, Rep. Harriet Hageman has become a central figure, especially after her high-profile win over Liz Cheney a few years back.
In the Midwest and East, you’ve got Rep. Mary Miller (Illinois), Rep. Marlin Stutzman (Indiana), and the ever-present Rep. Scott Perry from Pennsylvania. Perry was the Chairman before Harris and still remains one of the most vocal members during budget fights.
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Why Does This Membership List Actually Matter?
It isn't just about a list of names. It’s about leverage.
The House Freedom Caucus usually has between 30 and 40 members. In a narrow Republican majority, that is a massive problem for the Speaker of the House. If the GOP only has a five or ten-seat cushion, Andy Harris and his crew can effectively block any piece of legislation they don't like.
They use a "unit rule." If 80% of the caucus agrees on a position, they all vote together. It’s a "one for all, all for one" vibe that makes them the most disciplined—and some would say difficult—bloc in Congress.
The New Faces of 2026
Every election brings a "freshman class." In the 119th Congress, we've seen people like Rep. Bob Onder from Missouri and Rep. Nick Begich from Alaska join the ranks. These folks usually come to D.C. with a specific mandate from their voters: don't compromise.
Joining the Freedom Caucus is sort of like joining an elite club. You have to be invited, and you have to prove you’ve got the stomach for the fights. They don't want "squish" members. They want people who are willing to shut down the government if the spending isn't cut.
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The Rules of the Game
If you're trying to keep track of who are members of House Freedom Caucus, watch for these three things:
- The Budget Votes: If a group of 30 Republicans votes "No" on a spending bill that the leadership wants, you’re looking at the caucus.
- The Press Gallery: They hold their own press conferences. If you see Jim Jordan, Chip Roy, and Andy Biggs standing behind a podium with a "Freedom" logo, that’s the squad.
- The Primary Challenges: The group’s campaign arm, the House Freedom Fund, often supports primary challengers against "moderate" Republicans.
It’s a rough-and-tumble way to do politics. Honestly, it’s why they’re so polarizing. Some people see them as the only ones actually fighting for the taxpayer, while others see them as "anarchists" (a term famously used by former Speaker John Boehner) who just want to watch the system burn.
Actionable Insights for Following the Caucus
If you want to stay updated on what this group is doing, don't just wait for the nightly news. They move fast.
- Check the House Freedom Fund website: They list the candidates they endorse, which is usually the "waiting room" for future caucus members.
- Monitor "The Daily Signal" or "The Federalist": These outlets often get the first scoops on caucus internal memos.
- Watch the Rules Committee: Chip Roy often uses his seat here to stall bills before they even reach the floor.
To really understand the power dynamics in Washington, you have to know who is in that room. Whether you love them or hate them, the members of the House Freedom Caucus are the ones holding the keys to the legislative car right now. Keep an eye on those Tennessee and Texas delegations—that's where the heart of the movement lives.