Mike Gallagher’s narrow majority in the House of Representatives was further squeezed on Friday with the announcement of Wisconsin Representative Gallagher’s impending retirement in April.
Gallagher, who has served as a Congress member since 2016 and is presently heading a congressional select committee investigating the Chinese Communist Party, recently announced his departure.
While he mentioned family discussions as a factor in his decision, he refrained from delving into the specifics. According to Teddy Schleifer of Puck News, Gallagher is reportedly set to join Palantir, the analytics behemoth founded by Peter Thiel, adding an intriguing dimension to his transition.
Despite declaring last month that he wouldn’t run for re-election next year, Gallagher’s exit remains a significant surprise. Regarded as a rising star within the party, leaving mid-term while chairing a committee is atypical.
According to his statement, Gallagher’s resignation takes effect on April 19. He expressed confidence in House Republican leadership to appoint a successor to lead the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Gallagher’s vacant seat will persist until the end of his term, narrowing the GOP’s margin for future votes with all members present. This margin may shrink further in late April as Democrats are poised to fill a blue seat vacated by Representative Brian Higgins in February. However, the GOP could regain ground in subsequent special elections following vacancies left by Ohio’s Bill Johnson and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise acknowledged the challenge posed by the slim majority, emphasizing the need for unity to accomplish legislative goals.
The decision not to seek re-election followed Gallagher’s dissenting vote on the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, prompting backlash within his party.
This development arrives amidst internal turmoil within the House GOP caucus over the budget deal passed with notable Democratic support. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has initiated a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson’s position, akin to the process that led to his predecessor’s removal. Gallagher’s departure raises the stakes for Johnson, potentially forcing him to rely on Democratic votes to retain the speakership.
The House’s tumultuous environment has triggered a spate of retirements, including Colorado Representative Ken Buck’s recent announcement, catching Speaker Johnson off guard. Despite expressing hope that retirements have ceased, Buck’s decision suggests otherwise.