On June 9, 2025, Republican Congressman Mark Green of Tennessee announced his decision to resign from the U.S. House of Representatives, setting the stage for a significant shift in the political landscape of Congress. Green, who has represented Tennessee's 7th Congressional District since 2018, declared that he would step down following a crucial re-vote on a major tax and budget bill known as the reconciliation package, a piece of legislation championed by President Donald Trump.
In a statement released to the media, Green expressed mixed emotions about his departure. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress," he said. "Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up. As a result, today I notified the Speaker and the House of Representatives that I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package." The timing of his resignation is directly linked to this anticipated vote, expected around early July.
The reconciliation package, sometimes referred to by Trump as the "Big, Beautiful Bill," aims to overhaul key budgetary elements, including significant cuts to Medicaid funding and public broadcasting, while increasing the national deficit by an estimated $2.4 trillion. According to U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, the final vote on this legislation is projected to occur around July 4, 2025.
Green's resignation will decrease the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to 219 seats, while Democrats will hold 212 seats, tightening the balance of power in a chamber already closely divided. This narrow margin could have far-reaching implications for future legislative battles and the overall political dynamic in Washington.
Mark Green's political journey is marked by military service, legislative leadership, and a deep commitment to conservative principles. A retired Army flight surgeon and West Point graduate, Green served in both Iraq and Afghanistan before entering politics. His career began in the Tennessee State Senate, where he served from 2013 to 2018, before winning the 7th Congressional District seat in 2018. This district, reshaped in 2022 to include parts of Nashville, is considered a safely Republican stronghold; Green won his most recent election in November 2024 by approximately 21 percentage points against Democratic challenger and former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
During his time in Congress, Green has held influential positions and spearheaded significant initiatives. Notably, he serves as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and led the impeachment effort against former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in February 2024. Green also played a pivotal role in advancing the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2) and has been an outspoken advocate for military personnel and veterans.
Green's political path has not been without controversy. In 2017, President Trump nominated him to serve as Secretary of the Army, but Green withdrew his candidacy amid backlash over his past remarks on sensitive issues. More recently, he faced personal challenges, including a high-profile divorce and allegations of an extramarital affair. Despite these hurdles, Green maintained his political standing, even reversing an earlier decision not to seek reelection in 2024 after receiving encouragement from constituents, colleagues, and President Trump himself.
Reflecting on his decision to stay in Congress beyond his initial retirement plans, Green stated, "Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress. By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that." His dedication to border security and conservative values has been a hallmark of his tenure.
Green's advocacy extends to military issues as well. He was an early opponent of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military members, fighting for those who refused the vaccine to be honorably discharged and later reinstated with backpay following an executive order issued earlier in 2025. He expressed gratitude for President Trump's efforts, saying, "I am so grateful President Trump reinstated servicemembers who were wrongfully discharged under the Biden administration for making a personal healthcare decision. I fought for years to protect these servicemembers and now they’re getting the justice they deserve. Our military suffered a tremendous recruitment crisis under the Biden administration, but under President Trump those numbers are way up. This is indicative of better morale among our servicemembers and a resurgence of patriotism in our country."
Green's resignation triggers a legal process in Tennessee, where Governor Bill Lee is required to call a special election within 10 days of the vacancy. Primaries would follow within 55 to 60 days, with the special general election scheduled between 100 and 107 days after the vacancy is official. While Democrats have made gains in some recent special elections, including in historically Republican districts in Florida, Tennessee's 7th District remains a Republican bastion, and the GOP is favored to retain the seat.
Looking back, Green's career reflects a blend of military service, legislative leadership, and staunch conservatism. He was the only member of Congress in the 21st century to be selected for a major committee chairmanship at the start of his third term, underscoring his influence within the Republican caucus. His legislative efforts have consistently focused on border security, veterans' affairs, and conservative social policies.
As Green prepares to depart Washington, he expressed confidence in his colleagues and hope for the country's future. "I have no doubt that my colleagues in this Congress will continue to strengthen the cause of freedom. May God bless them, and the United States of America," he said.
The identity of potential candidates to replace Green remains unclear, but the upcoming special election will undoubtedly attract attention given the district's strategic importance and the current political climate. For now, Mark Green's resignation marks the end of a significant chapter in Tennessee and national politics, as he transitions from public service to a new, exciting opportunity in the private sector.
