The corridors of power are witnessing another resignation.
Breitbart reported that Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has chosen to step down from Congress, tightening the GOP's already slim majority in the House.
Rep. Ken Buck's announcement came via a press release on Tuesday, where he shared his decision to resign at the end of next week. He has represented Colorado's 4th District for nine years, a tenure he describes with honor and gratitude.
Buck expressed his intention to remain active in the political landscape while dedicating more time to family matters. His decision not to seek reelection had been known, which adds to the series of departures the GOP is experiencing in the 118th Congress.
Ken Buck's departure signals more than just an individual decision; it's part of a trend of Republican exits that includes significant figures such as former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Rep. George Santos. Specifically, Buck was notable for being among the eight Republicans who advocated for Kevin McCarthy's removal from the speaker's position and subsequently opposed Jim Jordan's bid as McCarthy's successor.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) intends to vie for the now-vacant seat in Buck's district. Her decision came in late December, motivated by challenges in her current district, including targeting by Democrat-led "dark money" campaigns. This motion underscores the continued shake-ups within Colorado's political sphere and hints at the forthcoming battles over seats that could sway the House's balance of power.
The Republican majority in the House pared down to a precarious five-seat margin (218-213), faces a critical juncture with Buck's resignation. This series of GOP exits has undoubtedly delivered a challenging scenario for maintaining control. Alongside Buck's departure, the 118th Congress has also seen the exit of Kevin McCarthy, who left his position in December following his removal as speaker in October.
"Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week. I look forward to staying involved in our political process and spending more time in Colorado with my family," said Buck in a statement that reflects a personal decision and underscores the ongoing turbulence within the House's Republican ranks.
Rep. George Santos's expulsion, precipitated by a 23-count federal indictment and an ethics report, marked a historic moment as the first expulsion based on criminal allegations without a conviction.
This, along with Rep. Bill Johnson's (R-OH) January resignation, has further complicated the party's position. Democrats capitalized on this unsettled landscape, capturing Santos's seat in a February special election and bringing their House seats tally to 212.
The time ahead promises more changes, with Buck’s congressional career ending next week. These movements underscore a period of significant political transition within the GOP and the broader dynamics of U.S. congressional politics. Buck's and other Republicans' departures are reshaping the landscape, posing challenges and opportunities for both major parties.
These events unfolded with Lauren Boebert's December announcement, followed by the consequential motion in October that ousted Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy's departure in December, followed by the formal expulsion of George Santos, has been pivotal. The resignation of Bill Johnson in January and the Democrats' February victory in capturing Santos's seat encapsulate a series of strategic shifts within the House.
In conclusion, Rep. Ken Buck's resignation from Congress marks another chapter in the ongoing reshuffle within the GOP, accentuating the slim majority the Republicans hold. Buck's departure, alongside the exits of Kevin McCarthy, George Santos, and Bill Johnson, and the subsequent capture of Santos's seat by Democrats, are significant developments in the current political narrative, highlighting a period of adjustment and reconfiguration within the U.S. House of Representatives.
