Tennessee Republican Representative Mark Green, on Tuesday, marked a milestone he had been steering towards throughout the year by leading the impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a target narrowly missed by House Republicans last week.
Departure from Congress
Green announced his departure from Congress the next day, citing profound disillusionment with the legislative process.
Declaration of Departure
“This place [Congress] is so broken, and making a difference here is just you know, just it feels like a lot of something for nothing”, Green expressed to Axios, signaling his intention to retire.
Frustration with Inaction
He added, “There’s also just the frustration of trying to get something done here.”
Green’s Goal
Green noted his involvement in the impeachment as a pivotal reason for his decision; it was a goal he had aimed to achieve, and he had accomplished it.
Ripple Effect
Following Green’s announcement, on Friday, Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin also opted for retirement after facing criticism for his stance on the Mayorkas impeachment. Gallagher voted against Mayorkas impeachment.
Young Leader Quit
Gallagher, a younger member at 39 compared to Green’s 59, and both had risen quickly to leadership roles, hinting at a potentially bright future in the House.
Republicans Opt Out of Re-election
Other Republicans like House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry have all announced that they will not seek re-election.
“Casualty List”
The trend of retirement is not isolated, with the House Press Gallery’s “Casualty List” showing an almost equal number of departures among Democrats (23) and Republicans (21).
Congressional Departures Reasons
However, nuances in these numbers reveal different stories, with some lawmakers seeking higher office, such as governor or senator, and others, including Democratic Representative Jennifer Wexton, leaving due to health issues or redistricting challenges.
Retire Due to Gerrymandering
Three North Carolina Democratic Representatives, Kathy Manning, Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel, are retiring after being effectively gerrymandered out of their seats.
Youthful Departures
The list of retiring Republicans includes notably younger members, with two other committee chairs, Representative Patrick McHenry and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, also stepping down.
Broader Disillusionment
This retirement pattern, including the exit of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the expulsion of George Santos, underlines a broader sense of disillusionment.
Speaker Johnson’s Position Threaten
Speaker Mike Johnson, elected in October 2023, has also encountered harsh criticism for the border deal he negotiated with Democrats, facing opposition from right-wing House Republicans who threaten his position unless he complies.
Motion Against Speaker
In January, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene hinted at a potential motion to remove Johnson, reminiscent of the action taken against his predecessor, McCarthy.
“Could be Something”
“I don’t know, that could be something,” she said. “If those deals are going to be made, then absolutely that’s on the table.”
Agreement Announcement
Her remarks followed Johnson’s brief statement to the press, wherein he announced an agreement to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Least Productive Congress
This Congress has been the least productive in modern history, with significantly fewer bills making it out of the House, let alone reaching the president’s desk.
Unprecedented Chaos
The past year has also seen unprecedented chaos in the chamber, including three censures and the first-ever ousting of a speaker, resulting in the chamber being without leadership for 26 days.
A Cry for Results
Even those who remain in Congress have openly expressed their dissatisfaction. In November, Republican Representative Chip Roy of Texas, during a floor speech in November, sought just one major achievement from his GOP peers that he could proudly present to voters as a concrete accomplishment.
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