Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) has decided to resign from Congress before the end of his term, further reducing the GOP’s slim majority in the House. Gallagher, a respected four-term lawmaker and a rising star in the Republican Party, initially announced last month that he would not seek reelection. However, he recently revealed that he would leave his position in the House on April 19. This departure will leave Republicans with just 217 members in the House, compared to the Democrats’ 213, meaning Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will have little margin for error on legislation without Democratic support.
Gallagher, who currently leads the House Select Committee on China, played a pivotal role in passing significant bills, such as the one requiring TikTok’s parent company to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. Despite Gallagher’s accomplishments, he is not alone in his early exit from Congress. Several other prominent committee heads, including Rep. Ken Buck and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, have also announced their retirements. This trend underscores the challenges and frustrations faced by lawmakers in what many perceive as a toxic environment in Washington.
In a recent interview, Gallagher expressed his belief that serving in Congress should not be a lifelong career, advocating instead for a return to private life after a period of public service. His seat, deemed “solid Republican” by the Cook Political Report, may remain vacant for the remainder of the year due to Wisconsin election laws. However, the balance of power in the House is subject to change as other vacancies are filled through special elections. The departures of influential figures like Gallagher highlight the shifting landscape in Congress and the ongoing challenges faced by lawmakers.
