Recent announcements of retirement from high-ranking and influential House Republicans have sparked both surprise and concern within the party. The departures, which include powerful committee chairs and rising stars, reflect the current state of discord within the House.
“They’ve signed up to do serious things. And we’re not doing serious things,” said Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a conservative who is retiring after bucking his party on several key issues.
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a moderate representing a key swing seat, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, an ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, both expressed frustration with the party’s struggle to govern and the resulting departures.
The 118th Congress has been marked by deep dysfunction and bitter divisions within the GOP, leading many Republicans, particularly from the governing wing, to exit. To date, 23 GOP lawmakers have decided not to seek reelection or have resigned early, including five committee chairs.
The wave of retirements is causing unease among the Republicans who are choosing to stay, raising concerns about a potential loss of institutional knowledge as more senior members depart.
“You get this panic and anxiety like, ‘OK, who’s going to step up? Is this a normal thing that happens every few years, or is it actually abnormal?’” said Rep. August Pfluger of Texas.
However, some argue that the turnover is normal, especially given the House GOP’s self-imposed term limits for chairs. They believe this allows for fresh perspectives within the ranks. Furthermore, the Republicans retiring are not from competitive districts, suggesting their seats are likely safe.
Despite this, the ongoing infighting within the GOP and the struggle to pass basic procedural votes have led to a sense of dysfunction. This, coupled with the looming threat of the upcoming elections and the potential return of former President Donald Trump, is causing anxiety within the party.
Some Republicans fear that the constant reshuffling could make committees less effective and shift power towards lobbyists and outside groups. The departure of dealmakers dedicated to good governance, like Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, raises further concerns about the future of Congress.
“There’s absolutely concern over a loss of knowledge, a loss of seniority, in some cases, a loss of civility,” said Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee. “We don’t know whom we’re going to get and what the new Congress is going to look like.”