Republicans in Congress continue sprinting for the exits, as Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin announced his early resignation, further shrinking the already slim Republican majority in the House.
Gallagher’s departure on April 19 will leave Republicans with just a one-vote majority, with 217 House seats compared to the Democrats’ 213. This means the GOP can only afford one defection from the party line on votes when all members are present.
The four-term lawmaker, who serves as chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, provided no specific reason for his early exit, simply stating that he made the decision after conversations with his family. Despite House Republican leadership being aware of his plans, his resignation came as a surprise on a day that highlighted Republican disarray and division.
This announcement follows Representative Ken Buck of Colorado’s recent resignation, which Speaker Mike Johnson did not expect to be followed by more departures. Gallagher’s decision not to seek another term after voting against impeaching the homeland security secretary reflects the frustration felt by many House Republicans in what they describe as a dysfunctional governing body.
With Gallagher’s early exit, it will be even more challenging for Speaker Johnson to pass legislation that cannot draw Democratic votes. The current makeup of the House leaves Republicans with little room for absences due to various reasons, making every vote crucial.
As Democrats are expected to fill a safe seat next month and Republicans likely to fill two vacant seats in the late spring and early summer, the balance of power in the House remains uncertain. Gallagher’s announcement coincided with Buck’s final day in the House, emphasizing the ongoing trend of Republican lawmakers leaving their positions prematurely.
