The Congress during President Donald Trump’s final two years in office will look a lot different than the current one.
House lawmakers are resigning from Congress at a record rate with 40 members — roughly 10% — passing on running for reelection in 2026. More lawmakers are expected to call it quits in the coming weeks as members return home and discuss reelection plans over the Christmas holiday.
Though Senate retirements are on par with the 2024 cycle, the House of Representatives is experiencing the largest departure rate at this point in more than a decade, according to analysis from Ballotpedia.
At this point in December 2023, there were just 30 House retirements. During the 2018 election cycle when Republicans shed 42 seats to lose control of the lower chamber, just 32 lawmakers had announced their decision to leave their seats as of December 2017.
Republicans lead Democrats in retirement announcements 23 to 17, according to data compiled by The Downballot. In prior election cycles, the party in control of the White House tends to see retirements spike in the lead-up to the midterms.
https://ijr.com/house-faces-mass-exit-with-nearly-10-forgoing-reelection/
Tracking congressional retirements shows a growing list of Republicans leaving, including some of Trump’s strongest allies. Analysts warn this could complicate efforts to maintain the party’s razor‑thin majority.