The conservative House Freedom Caucus is launching a podcast series, marking the first time an organized group in Congress will host its own show.

Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia, a former conservative talk radio host and the Freedom Caucus’ communications chairman, will sit down weekly with other members of the caucus, senators and grassroots leaders.

The caucus chairman, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, is this week’s guest.

The hard-line Republicans in the Freedom Caucus have become President Donald Trump’s go-to attack dogs in Congress on immigration, international trade and, most recently, combating House Democrats’ oversight investigations into the administration.

Lawmakers in recent years have found ways to circumvent traditional news outlets to reach their constituents, mainly through building up huge brands on social media.

Just look at the president.

Trump’s pugnacious use of his Twitter account has become a hallmark of his administration. His tweets have at times even driven White House policy and messaging when something he tweets catches his staff off-guard, plunging them into scramble mode to explain what he means.

The Freedom Caucus podcast will allow its members to package their messaging in their own way, “without the filter of a media outlet to pick the topic and direct the conversation,” Hice said in a statement.

“The closest thing to sitting in a Caucus meeting is sitting in on a discussion between some of the members,” he said.

Rep. Jim Jordan, the founder of the Freedom Caucus and the top Republican on the Oversight and Reform Committee, will be next week’s guest.

The idea of a podcast has been percolating for roughly a year, but it did not get off the ground while the GOP held a House majority.

Since Democrats are now driving chamber policy priorities, the floor schedule and committee work, House Republicans have a lot more time on their hands.

The podcast is another way to “keep our constituents informed,” Meadows said.

https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/conservative-house-freedom-caucus-launching-podcast-series/