Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, who had already announced he would not be seeking reelection, announced Friday that he’s resigning from Congress next month — shrinking House Republicans’ already razor-thin majority even more.
The Wisconsin Republican said his last day will be April 19. His departure will give House Republicans a one-vote majority with 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
“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,” Gallagher said in a statement.
Rep. Mike Gallagher is seen in the U.S. Capitol after the House passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, that could ban TikTok in the U.S., March 13, 2024.
Tom Williams/AP
As chair of the House Select Committee on China, Gallagher and was the driving force behind recent House-passed legislation that would ban the popular video app TikTok unless it parts ways with its Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance.
Gallagher had previously announced he would not seek reelection shortly after he cast a vote to doom the first attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Gallagher did not provide a reason for why he’s resigning early — but said he made the decision after “conversations with my family.”
“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,” Gallagher said in the statement.
There will not be a separate special election to fill Gallagher’s seat, according to Wisconsin state law. Rather, the seat will be filled via the regular state primary and general election.
Wisconsin state law says, “A vacancy in the office of U.S. senator or representative in congress occurring prior to the 2nd Tuesday in April in the year of the general election shall be filled at a special primary and election. A vacancy in that office occurring between the 2nd Tuesday in April and the 2nd Tuesday in May in the year of the general election shall be filled at the partisan primary and general election.”
Gallagher will be the fifth House Republican to resign early from the 118th Congress rather than serve out the term. Only one Democrat has left early (Rep. David Cicilline, who represented Rhode Island.)
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who had also said he would resign early after stating he wouldn’t seek reelection, cast his final vote as a member of Congress Friday. His departure leaves House Republicans with a two-vote majority — 218 Republicans compared to 213 Democrats.
ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.
Rep. Mike Gallagher’s Departure from Congress to Reduce GOP’s Slim Majority in Coming Month
In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, has announced his departure from Congress in the coming month. This decision comes at a critical time for the GOP, as they currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Gallagher, who has served in Congress since 2017, cited personal reasons for his decision to step down. He stated that he wants to spend more time with his family and focus on his health. While his departure is a loss for the Republican party, it also presents a challenge for them as they try to maintain their majority in the House.
With Gallagher’s departure, the GOP’s majority in the House will be reduced even further, making it more difficult for them to pass legislation and advance their agenda. This could have significant implications for key issues such as healthcare, immigration, and tax reform.
The timing of Gallagher’s departure is also significant, as it comes just months before the midterm elections. Republicans are already facing a tough battle to retain control of the House, and Gallagher’s departure only adds to their challenges.
In response to Gallagher’s announcement, Republican leaders have expressed their gratitude for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors. They have also vowed to work together to ensure that the GOP maintains its majority in the House.
Democrats, on the other hand, see Gallagher’s departure as an opportunity to gain more seats in the House and potentially take control of Congress. They are already ramping up their efforts to win key races in battleground states and capitalize on the GOP’s weakened position.
Overall, Rep. Mike Gallagher’s departure from Congress is sure to have a significant impact on the political landscape in the coming months. It remains to be seen how the GOP will navigate this challenge and whether they will be able to retain their majority in the House. The midterm elections will undoubtedly be closely watched as both parties vie for control of Congress.
