Three Republican Committee Chairs Retire in Span of Week

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Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., had a different take, saying the turnover is actually a good thing for the House. He said members of Congress are isolated because they go from meeting to meeting and from dinners to conferences. “We’re not living normal lives. I think having fresh perspectives come in is the best thing for the system,” Donalds said.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, the chair of the House Democratic

Caucus, called McMorris Rodgers and Gallagher “serious legislators who want to make things right.”

“It’s pretty clear, if you’re holding a gavel and to say you’re leaving, and you’re not term-limited, I think it speaks volumes for where their side of the chamber is. And it’s unfortunate, but that’s where we are,” Aguilar said.

The number of lawmakers retiring at the end of this term or seeking higher office stands at 44, with Democrats making up 23 of those members and Republicans 21. Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the House Republican campaign arm, said all of the GOP members leaving are in safe Republican seats, but that some of the Democratic retirements would lead to “flips for us.”

“I’m not concerned about it,” Hudson said.

Heye, the Republican strategist, said the retirements of McMorris Rodgers, Green and Gallagher wouldn’t make sense in normal times.

“It just makes sense in this current context of a broken Congress that can’t do the good, normal work that it should be doing,” Heye said. He also doubted they would have many regrets about leaving.

“Every ex-member you talk to who is of some import, they’re all happier now,” Heye said. “They all see greener pastures now.”