Republican Mike Gallagher to Step Down from US House in April
Challenges Faced by Republican Party
Republican U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher announced his decision to leave Congress on April 19, further narrowing the already slim majority held by the Republicans. Gallagher, who leads the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, had previously stated that he would not seek re-election in November. However, his early departure will result in a vacant seat until the next election, complicating the party’s majority position.
Impact on House Majority
The current Republican majority in the House stands at 219-213. With Republican Representative Ken Buck also set to step down, the majority will shrink to 217-213 once Gallagher leaves. This reduction in numbers means that Speaker Mike Johnson will have to navigate legislative processes carefully, as the party can only afford to lose one vote while facing united opposition from Democrats.
Transition Process and Party Dynamics
Gallagher expressed his intentions to work closely with House Republican leadership to ensure a smooth transition and the appointment of a new chair for the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. The internal dynamics within the Republican majority have been challenging, with Speaker Johnson often relying on Democratic support to pass crucial measures. Tensions within the party have escalated, with calls for leadership changes and threats to remove Speaker Johnson from office.
