- Oct 17, 2011
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House Republicans were shocked by some of the recent high-profile retirements announced by their colleagues, which have included powerful committee chairs and rising stars inside the GOP.
“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.
“When you’re divided in your own conference, the joy of the job is harder,” [NE Rep. Don] Bacon told CNN. “When you have folks on your own team with their knives out, it makes it less enjoyable.”
And Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, an ally of deposed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said this is not how he or many of his colleagues imagined life in the majority, saying, “I thought that some of our members would be smarter.”
As the 118th Congress has been dominated by deep dysfunction and bitter divisions inside the GOP, a number of Republicans – particularly from the so-called governing wing – are heading for the exits. So far, 23 GOP lawmakers have decided to not seek reelection or resigned early, including five committee chairs, though some have cited personal reasons or are seeking higher office.
Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington is not even term-limited yet in her plum post, while China select committee Chair Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, a 39-year-old who was once seen as the future of the party, recently announced he was leaving Congress after facing intense blowback for voting against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“Those are big losses for us,” said Rep. Greg Pence of Indiana, who is among the [eight] members on the [Energy and Commerce] panel hanging up his voting card. “It is alarming. Especially for the institutional knowledge … So, that’s a big deal.”
[Other within the GOP see things differently.]
“Brain drain? Why don’t you survey the country and see if there is any brain to drain in Congress. Congress has a 20% approval rating. Most of what we do to the country is bad,” [Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob] Good told CNN. “I think the retirements are a wonderful thing … I have no concerns, zero concerns. We probably need a few more retirements.”
Democrats have also seen their fair share in retirements this cycle as they have been relegated to the minority. [However, the situation is obviously different if you're [at least numerically] in the majority. But the slim GOP majority in the House has been largely unable to work its will. The planners and compromisers are heading for the exit, leaving behind the 'my way or the highway' gang.]
“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.
“When you’re divided in your own conference, the joy of the job is harder,” [NE Rep. Don] Bacon told CNN. “When you have folks on your own team with their knives out, it makes it less enjoyable.”
And Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, an ally of deposed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said this is not how he or many of his colleagues imagined life in the majority, saying, “I thought that some of our members would be smarter.”
As the 118th Congress has been dominated by deep dysfunction and bitter divisions inside the GOP, a number of Republicans – particularly from the so-called governing wing – are heading for the exits. So far, 23 GOP lawmakers have decided to not seek reelection or resigned early, including five committee chairs, though some have cited personal reasons or are seeking higher office.
Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington is not even term-limited yet in her plum post, while China select committee Chair Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, a 39-year-old who was once seen as the future of the party, recently announced he was leaving Congress after facing intense blowback for voting against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“Those are big losses for us,” said Rep. Greg Pence of Indiana, who is among the [eight] members on the [Energy and Commerce] panel hanging up his voting card. “It is alarming. Especially for the institutional knowledge … So, that’s a big deal.”
[Other within the GOP see things differently.]
“Brain drain? Why don’t you survey the country and see if there is any brain to drain in Congress. Congress has a 20% approval rating. Most of what we do to the country is bad,” [Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob] Good told CNN. “I think the retirements are a wonderful thing … I have no concerns, zero concerns. We probably need a few more retirements.”
Democrats have also seen their fair share in retirements this cycle as they have been relegated to the minority. [However, the situation is obviously different if you're [at least numerically] in the majority. But the slim GOP majority in the House has been largely unable to work its will. The planners and compromisers are heading for the exit, leaving behind the 'my way or the highway' gang.]
Unless she also resigns to run which would leave her seat open for a special election.
