Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) announced Friday that he will resign from Congress in April, shrinking Republicans’ already slim majority in the House.
“After discussions with my family, I have made the decision to resign from my position as Wisconsin’s 8th Congressman, effective April 19, 2024,” Gallagher said in a statement.
“I am working closely with the House Republican leadership on this schedule and look forward to Chairman Johnson appointing a new chair to carry out the important work of the Chinese Communist Party Select Committee,” he added. Ta. “My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to District 8 for the remainder of my term.”
under wisconsin lawIf Gallagher follows his resignation schedule, his seat will not be filled until after the November election.
If he resigns before the second Tuesday in April, the state could hold a special election to fill the vacancy by November.
Gallagher’s resignation further weakens Republicans’ already tenuous hold on the House.
His resignation will reduce the House Republican majority to 217-213. That means House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) would only have to lose one Republican on a given vote if Democrats vote along party lines.
After the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans maintained a 222-213 majority.
Gallagher, chairman of the special committee investigating the Chinese Communist Party, is the latest in a string of Republicans to leave Congress early.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) will resign on Friday.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) resigned in January.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from his position as the top House leader and resigned late last year.
Former Representative George Santos (R-New York) was removed from office shortly after being indicted on charges of fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements, and was replaced by Democrat Tom Suozzi.
Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Kay Granger, Member of the House Appropriations Committee. Several other Republican members of Congress, including Sen. (R-Texas), have also announced that they will retire at the end of the year.
“Serving Northeastern Wisconsin for four terms in the House of Representatives was the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my belief that America is the greatest nation in the history of the world,” Galger said. “I will forever be proud of my work on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, as chairman of the Cyberspace Solarium Committee, and as chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Special Committee.”
“It has been a true honor to serve in the House of Representatives.”
Gallagher was one of three House Republicans who voted against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and had previously announced he would not seek re-election in 2024.
