The War of Attrition for the U.S. House: A Reflection on Rep. Ken Buck's Speedy Resignation
Written by: Terry Alexander
The unexpected announcement of Rep. Ken Buck's departure from Congress adds to the growing trend of House members leaving their positions before their terms come to an end.
Buck's decision, which even surprised his colleagues, highlights the ongoing bloody battle to control the U.S. House of Representatives. It is a war of attrition, where the direction of our country will be determined by those who are willing to withstand the growing chaos that has become all too common on Capitol Hill.
Buck had already made it known that he would not seek reelection, joining the ranks of 21 House Republicans who will be running for the exits after this term. However, his early departure triggers a costly special election in Colorado, giving the winner a significant advantage in holding onto the conservative district seat in November.
While 24 Democrats are also expected to leave their seats in January, it is important to note that half of them are stepping down to pursue other political offices. In comparison, Buck is one of 15 Republicans who have simply chosen to retire. Additionally, one GOP incumbent, Rep. Jerry Carl of Alabama, will not return due to losing his primary race after redistricting.
Ironically, Buck, a longstanding member of the Freedom Caucus, is leaving Congress as one of its perceived more “reasonable members.” His departure further narrows the already slim Republican majority. Until his seat is filled, the GOP will only be able to sustain two defections before a Democratic initiative prevails.
We have witnessed numerous instances where more than two Republicans have shown a willingness to defy their leadership on conservative grounds. Illnesses and absences will only make this tenuous grasp on power more apparent, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson to constantly check attendance before bringing partisan bills to the floor.
At the end of the day, math is simply math.
Buck's early retirement also underscores the frustration felt by many long-term GOP members regarding the lack of productivity in this Congress. Five of those stepping aside hold powerful committee chairs, and only two of them face caucus-imposed term limits on their chairmanship. This has led to the oft-repeated complaint that "Congress is broken," even though decades of Republican disregard for effective legislating have contributed to this dysfunction.
According to the Cook Political Report, there are 22 House races across the country that are considered true toss-ups, with 11 each for Republicans and Democrats. Only two seats, occupied by Michigan Democrats Dan Kilde and Elisa Slotkin, are held by members who are leaving at the end of this term.
Cook also identifies two Republican seats as leaning toward a Democratic victory, potentially neutralizing any threat posed by those retirements. Therefore, Buck's announcement alone is unlikely to shift control of the House after this fall's elections.
However, it is essential to consider the cumulative impact of the factors mentioned above. With many of the newly vacant seats located in deeply red or blue districts, there is little doubt about which party will ultimately win them. Consequently, the importance of swing districts in the upcoming elections becomes even more significant. House Democrats have often prioritized holding onto these swing seats, sometimes at the expense of progressive policies.
READ MORE:
Ken Bucks the Freedom Caucus. Is he a sellout or the GOP’s savior?
Rep. Ken Buck's Refusal to Hold Secretary Mayorkas Accountable Draws Criticism
Ken Buck blasts his party’s hardliners for ‘lying to America’
Rep. Ken Buck's Retirement: A Reflection on Divisiveness and the Need for Common Ground
Conversely, House Republicans have occasionally overlooked their moderate members in swing districts, preferring to focus on appeasing the MAGA wing of the party.
This Congress has demonstrated that merely having 218 members with an "R" next to their name is no longer sufficient to guarantee effective control over the House for Republican leaders. Consequently, if the GOP manages to retain the majority next year, most of the newly elected incumbents filling the vacated seats will likely be uninterested in compromising with their Democratic counterparts. The internal chaos that Buck and others are escaping may subside, but only because an increasing number of hard-liners are willing to exert their influence, dragging the rest of the caucus along with them.
It now falls on the remaining members, particularly those dedicated to institutionalism within the GOP, to hold the line against a potential influx of uncompromising firebrands. This is a daunting task that most would not envy.
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