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GOP Reeling as High-Profile Republicans Set to Retire

Many GOP House Republicans are heading toward retirement amid dysfunction in the party. And some weren’t really surprised by the exodus, according to CNN . “They’ve signed up to do serious things. And we’re not doing…

Sandra Rhodes·Feb 19, 2024·4 min read

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Many GOP House Republicans are heading toward retirement amid dysfunction in the party.

And some weren’t really surprised by the exodus, according to CNN.

“They’ve signed up to do serious things. And we’re not doing serious things,” said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., a conservative, who is retiring.

“When you’re divided in your own conference, the joy of the job is harder,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told CNN. “When you have folks on your own team with their knives out, it makes it less enjoyable.”

Bacon is a moderate, who occupies a swing seat.

“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,’” CNN reported.

“A lot of us are frustrated with what’s going on, and that’s just being flat-out honest,” he told CNN. “It’s foolish. And it’s been proven to be foolish. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

The 118th Congress has been mired by dysfunction and bitter divisions inside the GOP, according to CNN.

“A number of Republicans – particularly from the so-called governing wing – are heading for the exits,” CNN reported. “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.”

The Retirements

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GOP Reeling as High-Profile Republicans Set to Retire — IJR

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have raised some concern. This is especially true for those who are leaving high profile roles.

“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,” according to CNN.

“Those are big losses for us,” said Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., who is among the members leaving. “It is alarming. Especially for the institutional knowledge … So, that’s a big deal.”

Others are concerned about a “brain drain.”

“The wave of Retirements is rattling some of the Republicans who are choosing to stick around and fueling concern about a potential brain drain as more senior members decide to leave and take their wealth of institutional knowledge with them,” according to CNN.

“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, R-Texas. “So, yeah, I’m very worried about it.”

Still, there are others not that concerned and view this as normal.

“Democrats have also seen their fair share in Retirements this cycle as they have been relegated to the minority,” CNN reported. “Plus, the Republicans calling it quits so far are not from competitive districts, meaning their seats are likely safe.”

“Look, it hasn’t been pleasant, there’s no question about that,” veteran Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said of the past year. “But we have a lot of great young members, and I’ve looked at a lot of the recruits coming in, and I’m not too worried.”

Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good has enjoyed the departures.

“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,” Good told CNN. “I think the Retirements are a wonderful thing … I have no concerns, zero concerns. We probably need a few more Retirements.”