Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House select committee on China, announced he's leaving Congress on April 19 – which will temporarily leave House Republicans with just a one-seat majority.

Gallagher revealed in February that he would not be running for a fifth term in the House, a shocking announcement for someone long considered a rising star within the Republican Party.&nbsp;

His early departure will mean that Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can only afford to lose one GOP lawmaker on any vote that falls along party lines. That will likely remain the case until May 21, when there's a special election to replace ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

<div class="m"><picture> <img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1200/675/Mike-Gallagher.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Mike Gallagher" width="100%" height="auto"></picture></div> <div class="info"><div class="caption"><p><span>Rep. Mike Gallagher announced he would be leaving Congress in April, a month after announcing he wouldn't seek re-election</span> <span>(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)</span></p></div></div>

<div class="author-bio"><p>Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.</p><p>Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com</p></div>

Rep. Mike Gallagher announced he's leaving Congress on April 19, a shocking decision for someone considered a rising star in the GOP.{ai:summary}<p>Rep. Mike Gallagher's unexpected departure will leave House Republicans with a slim one-seat majority, causing potential challenges in upcoming party-line votes. #politics</p><p>Gallagher's exit adds uncertainty to the House select committee on China, as Speaker Mike Johnson will face tight margins until a special election in May. #government</p>

Top GOP lawmaker announces early exit, leaving Republicans with temporary one-seat majority

Loading...