'Sellout!' Internet divided as Mike Gallagher plans to resign from Congress shrinking House GOP majority

WASHINGTON, DC: The Republican majority in the House of Representatives will further diminish as Rep Mike Gallagher disclosed on Friday, March 22, that he plans to resign from Congress in April, according to the New York Post. 

In a statement, Gallagher said, "After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to step down from my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024."

Mike Gallagher set to resign from Congress in April

Gallagher added, "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."

He also stated, "My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term."

Significantly, if the legislator adheres to his resignation deadline, Gallagher's position cannot be filled until after the November election, per Wisconsin law.

Moreover, the state might organize a special election before November to fill his vacant seat if he resigns by the second Tuesday in April.

Additionally, Gallagher's resignation exacerbates the GOP's already fragile position in the lower house. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La) can only afford to lose one Republican member on any given vote, as Democrats vote along party lines, once Gallagher departs.

This reduces the GOP majority in the House to 217–213.

The Republican majority in the 2022 midterm elections was 222-213. Gallagher is the most recent Republican member to resign early from Congress. He chairs the select committee looking into the Chinese Communist Party.

Previously, Ohio Representative Bill Johnson (R) resigned in January. Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California who was ousted from the top position in the lower house, stepped down as House Speaker at the end of 2023.

Furthermore, Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, assumed the position formerly held by Representative George Santos (R-NY), who was expelled shortly after facing charges of fraud, money laundering, embezzlement of public funds, and making false statements.

Internet stays divided as Mike Gallagher set to resign in April

The news of Mike Gallagher's impending resignation from Congress in April, which will leave the House GOP with a narrow majority, sparked mixed reactions among internet users.

A user wrote on X, "This is sad. I know he will be back," whereas one wrote, "Washington being Washington. Doesn’t matter if there’s a D or an R next to their name with many of these people." [sic]

A user added, "By May the house flips," while one mentioned, "Sellout!"

A user also added, "What a crappy move. He will be remembered for this and nothing else."

A person also mentioned, "That’s one hell of a coincidence."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.