It’s not every day that Capitol Hill witnesses a political exodus, but as the end of 2025 draws near, the U.S. House of Representatives is grappling with a remarkable wave of Republican departures. More than two dozen GOP lawmakers have already announced plans to leave their seats at the end of the term, with the number expected to climb as lawmakers return home for the holidays and weigh their futures. The trend is stirring anxiety among Republican leaders, who face the daunting task of holding onto a slim majority as the 2026 midterms approach.
According to Nexstar Media Inc., the reasons behind this exodus are varied—ranging from personal fatigue and family priorities to deep-seated frustrations with party leadership and the state of congressional politics. While retirements aren’t unusual for the party in power during a midterm cycle, the current numbers are reminiscent of 2018, when a similar GOP outflow preceded a Democratic takeover of the House. Back then, 34 House Republicans opted not to seek reelection and 14 resigned during their terms. This year’s tally is closing in on those figures, with 23 House Republicans retiring or seeking other offices, and four more choosing to resign. In contrast, 17 Democrats are stepping down or aiming for different roles.
The list of departing Republicans spans the party’s ideological spectrum. High-profile conservatives like Texas Representatives Chip Roy, Jodey Arrington, and Michael McCaul are on their way out, as are moderates such as Don Bacon of Nebraska, who has successfully defended a competitive district for multiple terms. The departures are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they’re reshaping the House’s internal dynamics and raising questions about the GOP’s ability to fend off a potential blue wave.
Frustration with the state of Congress is a recurring theme among those leaving. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who shocked Capitol Hill by announcing her resignation effective January 5, 2026, cited her party’s handling of health care, foreign policy, and a general sense of inertia. In her resignation statement, Greene lamented, "Nothing gets better for the American people no matter which way the political pendulum swings." Her departure, which followed a public feud with former President Donald Trump, has become a touchstone for broader dissatisfaction within the GOP ranks.
Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) told Nexstar Media Inc., "I’ve been here five terms now, and every, you know, basically midterm cycle, you continue to see that play out where, you know, there’s people that step aside. Some just—they’ve been here long enough, and they’ve decided they had enough. Some are tired of having to fight the swing districts that they’ve had. There’s a myriad of reasons. And some are just trying to move on to, you know, something that they might consider more fulfilling."
Don Bacon, the Nebraska Republican whose seat is now rated as leaning Democrat, put it bluntly: "If you’re not fired up about winning, that’s time to move on. And that’s how I felt." For others, the frustration is rooted in the daily grind of legislative gridlock and what they see as a lack of meaningful progress. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) pointed to a 43-day government shutdown and the "silliness of censure resolutions going back and forth" as evidence of dysfunction. He noted, "I do think that there’s maybe some people who say, like, you know, at some point… if they feel like they can’t accomplish the things that they came here to do, then maybe that weighs into their decision."
Leadership struggles and internal party dynamics have only added to the sense of upheaval. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) described the mood among Republicans as dispirited, telling The Hill, "Everybody in the Republican Party, with the exception of just a few, are consigned to be automatons. They just have to do whatever Trump wants them to do. What fun is that, if you’re an adult? Most of my colleagues are successful people who worked really hard to get here, and then they find out you’re just a rubber stamp for the Speaker who’s a rubber stamp for the president. I don’t blame them for running for another office or going back home."
Texas, in particular, has seen a flurry of retirement announcements. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) said he would retire at the end of his term in 2027 to spend more time with family—a decision that came just days after Greene’s resignation announcement. His brother, Trevor Nehls, plans to run for the seat, highlighting the personal and political calculations at play. Other Texas Republicans—Jodey Arrington, Morgan Luttrell, Michael McCaul, Wesley Hunt, and Chip Roy—are also stepping aside, some seeking higher office, others citing personal reasons or a desire to serve the state differently.
Amid all this, speculation swirled around Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) after The New York Times reported she planned to discuss early retirement with Greene. Mace, who has been openly critical of Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership and the treatment of women in the House, quickly took to social media to set the record straight. "Media catches one tiny piece of an overheard conversation and loses it," Mace wrote on X. "Confirmed: There’s frustration that discharge petitions are the only way to move things through the House… Not confirmed: That anyone is retiring. Goodness." She followed up with a categorical denial: "Retiring is a BIG FAT NO from me. Not sure why the internet is running with this like wildfire—for the clicks I suppose."
Mace’s public statements reflect the broader restiveness among House Republicans, especially women, who have voiced displeasure with Johnson’s priorities and style. Despite her frustrations, Mace is not leaving Congress early. In fact, she’s running for South Carolina governor in 2026, indicating her political ambitions remain very much alive. She has also been active in legislative maneuvering, signing a discharge petition to force a vote on banning stock trading for members of Congress—an issue she says should have broad bipartisan support but has languished due to leadership inaction.
All told, the Republican majority in the House is now down to 219 seats, with Democrats at 213 and three vacancies, according to the official House press gallery. Most of the departing Republicans represent solidly red districts, but a handful, like Bacon’s and Schweikert’s, are competitive or even leaning Democratic. That reality, combined with the ongoing redistricting battles and the unpredictable winds of national politics, has both parties on edge as the 2026 midterms approach.
Some Republicans see a silver lining in the turnover. Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) suggested that "fresh blood is good," arguing that too much longevity in office isn’t necessarily healthy for democracy. "I don’t think people serving for 50 years is a great thing, so I think turnover is a good thing," Fine said. Others, like Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), pointed to lawmakers’ desire to spend more time with family as a legitimate and relatable reason for stepping away.
Whether this wave of retirements will tip the balance of power remains an open question. But one thing’s certain: the House GOP, already grappling with internal divisions and public dissatisfaction, faces a critical test of unity and resilience in the months ahead. The political landscape is shifting, and with so many familiar faces stepping aside, the next Congress is bound to look—and feel—very different.
