The House Republican majority will get a bit smaller after Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) announced that he would be resigning next month. The sudden departure came just weeks after Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) announced that he would be stepping down early.
Gallagher made the decision after conversations with his family, setting a date for departure of Apr. 19.
Gallagher was a leading member of Congress in countering the influence of China. He served as the chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Gallagher also said that his office would “continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term.”
A statement from Congressman Mike Gallagher. pic.twitter.com/dOBcM8kbNV
— Rep. Gallagher Press Office (@RepGallagher) March 22, 2024
“Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world,” he wrote on social media. “I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.”
“It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives,” he wrote.
The timing of Gallagher’s departure means that there will not be time to schedule a special election, leaving the seat vacant until the November election.
The departure of the two conservative members of the House could provide significant problems for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who is facing his own leadership challenge led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Buck said that he was frustrated during his time in Congress. Despite being a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, Buck increasingly found himself separated from the group and other House Republicans. Following his announcement of departure, the House Freedom Caucus expelled him from their ranks.
The resignations could have larger implications as Republicans hope to preserve their small House majority. A special election will be called for Buck’s district. Current Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) announced that she was switching to Buck’s district. She finished behind other potential Republican candidates in a recent straw poll.
In a snap election, it is possible that Boebert would run into trouble. She would either have to resign her current seat or face the possibility of facing an incumbent in the other district.
Buck denied timing his resignation to influence the race for the seat.
