BREAKING: House Republican Majority Shrinks To One Vote As Lawmaker Expected To Make Surprise Announcement

On Friday, another House Republican announced their early retirement from the lower chamber as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's (R-LA) slim majority shrunk even further. The news comes as Johnson faces down a potential ouster after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a motion to vacate following the passage of a $1.2 trillion spending package.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who announced he would retire earlier this year, has decided to leave the House on April 19. Gallagher reportedly has been fed up with the House GOP's antics following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) late last year. 

"After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member fo the House of Representatives for Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024," Gallagher said in a statement. "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. My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term."

Gallagher is joined by a host of other Republicans who have decided to retire following a tumultuous session, but he joins Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who left his post this week, in deciding to throw in the towel before his current term ended.

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Buck surprised House leadership last week when he announced he would be stepping down from his seat earlier than expected. The Colorado Republican, who has often bucked the party, such as with his vote against impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, made the surprise announcement via a statement that read, "It has been an honor to serve the people of Coloardo's 4th District in Congress for the past 9 years. I want to thank them for their support and encouragement throughout the years."

"Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week," he explained. "I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado with my family." The announcement comes as a surprise to GOP leadership with Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman reporting, "It's amazing to me that Ken Buck resigned effective next week and the speaker of the House and House majority leader seemingly had no idea in advance."

With Buck exiting Congress on Friday and Gallagher set to leave the chamber by next month, Speaker Johnson is facing an uphill battle to keep his speakership. If he is vacated from his position by Greene, it will be a hard-fought battle to see who will replace him as speaker with such a slim one-seat majority.

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