A Republican member of the House of Representatives is planning to resign from Congress, which will reduce an already-slim House Republican majority, according to a report Tuesday.
Republican Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah, representing the state’s Second Congressional District – which covers nearly half the state and includes parts of Salt Lake City – will resign as early as this week, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. His resignation comes as his wife faces health issues, which are presently unclear, per the Tribune. (RELATED: ‘Does That Bother You?’: Rep. Chris Stewart Confronts Yellen Over IRS Agent Showing Up To Journalist’s Home)
Stewart’s resignation will bring the GOP’s majority in the House down by one vote, to 221 members. That number, just three ahead of the 218-vote threshold required to pass bills and resolutions, will likely make for difficulties for the House Republican leadership, which is currently trying to whip its conference into supporting the Fiscal Responsibility Act negotiated by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, with several members currently opposing the bill.
This weaponization of our government is one of the most terrifying things I’ve seen during my time in Congress. pic.twitter.com/RhOSVP67W7
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) May 19, 2023
Stewart, who has served six terms in Congress since 2012, was also reportedly considering a primary challenge to Utah’s Republican Senator, Mitt Romney, who has been heavily criticized by former President Donald Trump and his supporters in the party. Stewart is unlikely to run for the Senate, according to the Tribune, which may prompt more contenders to run for what is considered a safe GOP seat, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index Score of R+13.
A primary and special election for Stewart’s seat can only be scheduled after he formally resigns, and must be done by Utah’s Gov. Spencer Cox within seven days. The general election, however, will occur along with all other state general elections, unless the legislature appropriates money for a separate election on a different day, per the Tribune.
Stewart and McCarthy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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