Republicans in the US House of Representatives are likely to see their slim majority shrink in 2024, as unplanned departures further reduce their numbers ahead of the presidential election.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) quietly announced this week that he would resign from his seat next year in favor of more lucrative pursuits in his home state.
“After much reflection and prayerful deliberation, I accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not seek an eighth term in Congress.” John wrote in a x publication this week. “This was an extremely difficult decision. But this is not goodbye. I will continue to serve in the House for several more months and you will see no respite. My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you.”
Johnson, 69, has been in Congress since 2011.
His new position will pay him $410,000 a year, a significant improvement over the $174,000 annual salary he earns as a member of Congress.
Rep. Bill Johnson will resign next year to accept a more lucrative job as president of Youngstown State University. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
After much reflection and prayerful deliberation, I accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not seek an eighth term in Congress. As I said before, I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love the one I have serving the people of the East…
— Representative Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) November 21, 2023
He would have to start on March 15, local news website Mahoning Matters reported, and the timing of his departure could complicate the effort to replace him in the reliably Republican seat.
If Johnson submits a letter of resignation by Dec. 20, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine could schedule a special election to coincide with the March 2024 primary. But if his official resignation comes later, the seat could remain vacant. until the November elections, as a cost-saving measure, local media outlet WMFJ reported.
More headaches loom for the Republican Party on Long Island, where disgraced Rep. George Santos faces another attempt to oust him from office next week. Santos faces federal fraud charges and has publicly admitted to fabricating much of his personal and professional history.
Republicans have a very narrow majority in the House. Shutterstock President Mike Johnson will find it increasingly difficult to manage his conference with fewer members. Shutterstock
Last week, House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) introduced a privileged resolution to expel Santos from the chamber after his committee released a damning ethics report, which revealed how the congressman spent campaign money on botox, Onlyfans and other personal expenses. Other attempts to oust Santos have failed, but many are confident that this time his opponents will have the votes to get the job done.
If Santos leaves, Governor Hochul will call a special election, which Democrats are expected to win.
House Speaker Mike Johnson only controls a five-seat majority, one of the narrowest in history. Any early departure from the Republican Party will make it much more difficult for him to corral his famously unruly colleagues.
“The fact that the Republican majority will lose only two members means that President Johnson will have an even more difficult time leading the House. He has to make concessions to conservatives without isolating Republicans in Biden’s districts. It’s a tightrope act that will involve him continuing to lean on Democrats to avoid a future shutdown,” said Republican strategist Ryan Girdusky.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn