Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) announced Friday he will resign early, further shrinking House Republicans already razor thin majority.
Gallagher, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, already announced last month that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term after facing criticism for opposing the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
But on Friday, Gallagher said he would leave Congress on April 19, instead of staying until January to complete his term.
“I’ve worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party,” he said in a statement.
“I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party,” Gallagher added. “It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives.”
Gallagher is the latest Republican to resign before his term is up. His departure narrows Republican majority to 217-213, meaning Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) can only afford to lose only one vote on partisan legislations.
Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican from Colorado stepped down on Friday. A special election is scheduled for June 25 to replace him.
It’s not the same for Gallagher.
Under Wisconsin state law, vacancies after the second Tuesday in April in an election year, are filled in the general election, so Gallagher’s replacement will be decided in November and his seat will remain empty until January.
