Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican known for his strong stance against the Chinese government, announced his resignation from the House, leaving Republicans with a slim majority. Gallagher, a former Marine, will step down on April 19, resulting in a 217-213 majority for Republicans in the House. The thin majority has posed challenges for Republican leadership and has forced cooperation with Democrats to pass legislation.
Gallagher, who represented northeastern Wisconsin in Congress since 2017, was the head of a new House committee focused on countering China. He framed the competition between the U.S. and China as a significant struggle for the future. Despite not seeking re-election, he played a key role in passing a bill to ban TikTok if its China-based owner did not sell its stake. However, he clashed with former President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans by refusing to support the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
After announcing his resignation, there will be no special election for Gallagher’s seat, which will be filled during the general election. Two Republican state senators, Andre Jacque and Roger Roth, are running for the Wisconsin 8th Congressional District seat vacated by Gallagher. Despite the district being solidly Republican, the Wisconsin Democratic Party expressed intentions to vigorously compete for the seat, calling Gallagher’s resignation a condemnation of the GOP majority.
Gallagher, once seen as a rising star in the GOP and a potential Senate candidate against incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin, chose to focus on China-related issues and his bid for a fifth term in the House. His decision to leave the House was influenced by his commitment to addressing national security concerns related to China. Gallagher’s actions have received bipartisan support, but he faced criticism for his stance on impeachment and border-related issues, which led to his eventual decision to resign.
The resignation of Gallagher will leave House Republicans in a delicate position with a narrow majority, unable to afford more than one party-line vote. The departure of a prominent figure like Gallagher raises questions about the future direction of the GOP in the House. Despite his differences with some within his party, Gallagher remains committed to his role in countering Chinese influence and securing the nation’s interests. His departure signifies a significant change in the composition and dynamics of the House leadership.
