“I don’t know why the speaker of the House would attack Republican groups,” said Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who has often been a thorn in Boehner’s side. “I’m worried about what happens in 2014, when you stick it in the eye of conservatives and say we don’t need you anymore. That would be a recipe for disaster.”

Huelskamp added: “There’s a real concern on immigration [next year], that we would abandon a clear majority of the Republican Party in passing a comprehensive amnesty-like bill. “

Some outside groups share that concern. “Why now? Why is this the [budget] bill that they’ve chosen to make a choice against conservatives? What does that signal for policies like immigration next year?” Dan Holler, a spokesman for Heritage Action, told RCP. “He has successfully managed to change the conversation away from Obamacare to the role of outside groups.”

But Boehner won’t be taking any pointers from Heritage or the others. “I don’t care what they do,” he said Thursday.