Republican Representative Mike Gallagher Announces Early Resignation, Adding to Congressional Vacancies

Updated to include a statement from Wisconsin Democrats.

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Madison, Wis (Civic Media) – 8th District Representative Mike Gallagher has confirmed his early resignation from Congress, further weakening the Republican majority led by Speaker Mike Johnson. 

Gallagher’s resignation will be effective from April 19th. It comes as the House already has three vacancies, with two Republicans and one Democrat stepping down, and Republican Representative Ken Buck of Colorado also planning to leave Congress. 

Earlier today, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, CNN reporting. The motion comes as a result of anger within the House Republican Conference regarding the government funding bill. Greene’s motion, known as a motion to vacate, is seen as a rebuke of Johnson’s endorsement of the bipartisan spending deal. 

Here’s the statement from Representative Mike Gallagher

“After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024.

“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.

“Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world. 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. It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives.”

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In response to the recent announcement made by Rep. Mike Gallagher regarding his intention to step down from Congress on April 19th, Joe Oslund, the Communications Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, released the ensuing statement:

“Mike Gallagher’s decision to walk away from Congress is a remarkable indictment of a do-nothing GOP majority obsessed with creating chaos and incapable of carrying out even the basic responsibilities of government. Speaker Mike Johnson’s control over Congress now hangs by a thread, with a razor-thin majority and extremists like Marjorie Taylor Greene more empowered than ever. As Wisconsin Democrats, we look forward to fighting hard for the 8th District and restoring stability and competence to Congress.”