Washington ? Kansas Rep. Todd Tiahrt on Wednesday lost his bid to become chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of about 100 conservative lawmakers who try to influence the GOP agenda.

Tiahrt’s loss to Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling by a vote of 57-42 signals that the group wants to pursue a more aggressive tone in promoting its conservative priorities.

While Tiahrt’s conservative credentials are not in question, his membership on the House Appropriations Committee bothered some Republican Study Committee members, who questioned whether a lawmaker in charge of spending would be assertive enough in pushing for fiscal discipline.

The Republican Study Committee is committed to lower spending, less government and reduced taxes.

Tiahrt issued a statement saying he was honored to be nominated for the post by the group’s founders.

“RSC members have now chosen the direction of the organization, and I respect that decision,” Tiahrt said.

Indiana Rep. Mark Souder, who backed Tiahrt, said the vote showed committee members wanted a more defined separation from Republican leadership.

“There was some feeling that Todd had been more tied to leadership, and they wanted to make it clear that this group wasn’t going to have any ties to leadership,” Souder said.

Tiahrt had stressed that he had a clear record of advancing conservative ideas and principles. Tiahrt’s supporters viewed him as a more conciliatory voice who could work with the GOP leadership and give the committee more influence.

Hensarling, by contrast, is known as a budget hawk who’s not afraid to tangle with GOP leadership to make sure Republicans adhere to pure bedrock conservative principles. That hard-nosed approach could reduce the group’s impact on pending legislation.