On Tuesday, Republican Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee achieved a goal that he’s been overseeing all year, the impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The very next day, Green — the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee — called it quits.
Green wasn’t the only high-profile casualty of the Mayorkas impeachment. Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin announced his retirement on Friday after facing backlash over his vote against it. Gallagher is just 39 years old, while Green is 59. But like other retiring Republicans, they’ve apparently decided it’s just not worth it. Taking all factors into account, you’re left with eight retiring Democrats and 15 retiring Republicans.
And that’s not even considering the retirement of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy or the expulsion of George Santos. It’s not difficult to see why they’re choosing to move on.
This Congress has been the least productive in modern history, with far fewer bills making it out of the House, let alone to the president’s desk. The last year has also been marked by unprecedented chaos in the chamber, including three censures and the first time a speaker has ever been ousted, leading to the chamber being rudderless for a total of 26 days.
Even those who are sticking around have vented their frustration. “One thing. I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing — one! — that I can go campaign on and say we did,” said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas in a November floor speech.
R&I – TP
Captain