U. S. Rep. Mike Gallagher ( R- WI), who announced his retirement earlier this year, has provided an release stating that he will be resigning in the coming months as opposed to finishing out his name. Gallagher’s dramatic exit will once again reduce the lean Republican majority in the House, which has continued to decline due to early resignations and the eviction of Rep. George Santos ( R- NY).
” After discussions with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, successful April 19, 2024″, Gallagher, who currently chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, announced in a press release Friday.
” I’ve worked closely with House Republican authority on this timeframe and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important objective of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. My business will continue to operate and offer basic services to the Eighth District for the majority of the term”, the statement continued.
Gallagher announced his retirement in February after he faced substantial backlash for voting against a movement to oust Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The motion was later approved when Rep. Steve Scalise ( R- LA ) returned from a medical absence and served as the deciding vote.
The Wisconsin president’s leave may leave the room with 217 Republicans and 213 Liberals. This means that even if Republican vote along party lines, they could only manage one diplomat or absent representative in order to pass legislation.
The already narrow margin was trimmed by one member when Rep. George Santos ( R- NY ) was expelled from Congress in an unprecedented move. Santos — who was expelled after a months- much effort led by brother Republicans in his home state — was ousted over fraud allegations despite the fact that he has not been convicted of a crime.
The chair was ultimately flipped by Rep. Tom Suozzi ( D- York ) a former congressman who returned to Washington after winning a special election earlier this year.
In addition to the eviction of Santos, a number of Republicans had previously announced earlier escapes due to Gallagher’s news. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned at the end of the year rather than seeing out his name, while Rep. Ken Buck ( R- CO ) may be resigning from business effective immediately.
Rep. Bill Johnson ( R- OH) furthermore announced his first departure earlier this year in order to take a position at Youngstown State University.
All three towns lean strongly Democrat, though the House will need to rush for specific elections in order to fill the seats, leaving them with a slender majority in the meantime. McCarthy’s seats will be filled in May, while the particular vote for Johnson’s chair will take place in June.
Buck’s desk will also be filled prior to the end of the word, though Rep. Gallagher’s chair may remain vacant until November.
