GOP Left With Tiny One-Seat House Majority As Chaos Grows In Party After Rep. Mike Gallagher Resigns

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) plans to leave the House of Representatives as early as next month. With Gallagher’s departure planned for April 19, House Speaker Mike Johnson will be left with just a one-vote majority.

Gallagher’s exit date will mean there is no special election before November, so Wisconsin law states the seat must remain empty. Earlier in the year, Gallagher stated he would not seek reelection. Part of his decision is due to the backlash he received for not voting to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

A shift in the House’s balance may pose a risk for Johnson. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) filed a motion to oust Johnson, citing that Johnson “betrayed [their] conference” by breaking their rules of order and working with Democrats. It is unclear when the motion will come to a vote. No Republicans have publicly supported Greene’s notion as of yet.

Johnson may have to seek Democratic support to maintain his seat as speaker of the House. This decision may bolster Greene’s claims that Johnson “betrayed” his party.

Concerns over the Republican party and its direction have intensified after multiple Republican House members have said they won’t run for reelection, including Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) and Kay Granger (R-Texas).

Gallagher’s departure leaves a gap in the House as Gallagher was notably outspoken about foreign policy, especially the United State’s relationship with China. Gallagher also backed military aid to Ukraine and met with former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as part of a congressional delegation in February.

Despite Gallagher’s legacy, House officials are confident that this is only a speed bump and that they can move forward with new changes.

The battle for the House will come down a few seats in the November election with Democrats pushing to regain their majority.