GOP Rep. Bryan Steil calls out colleague Mike Gallagher for leaving Congress early

During an appearance on the “Chicago’s Morning Answer” podcast last week, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) called out his fellow Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) for leaving Congress early.

When fill-in host Jeanne Ives brought up Gallagher’s impromptu departure from Congress that was announced on the congressman’s X page last month, Steil criticized his colleague’s decision since it will leave the GOP with a one-seat voting majority in the House of Representatives.

“I don’t know his line of thinking as to, to why he’s doing that,” Steil said. “But I can tell you it doesn’t put us in a better position to take on the Biden administration. We’re in a period of time where we need all hands on deck, and it’s going to be a really difficult seven months in front of us.”

Gallagher announced he would not seek a fifth term in February. However, him retiring before the end of his term has soured many Republicans. Not only is Gallagher leaving the GOP with a narrow one-seat House majority, but he is also resigning at a time where the seat won’t be filled until the November general election. Under Wisconsin law, a resignation prior to April 9 would fill the seat via a special election. However, Gallagher plans to resign on April 19.

“And under Wisconsin, under the Wisconsin Constitution, that decision point would be by April nine,” Steil continued. “And so, he announced that he’s going to leave after that. I think we’re always better served when people are in. If people can’t leave or can’t be there for some reason, they should make sure that that seat is filled as quickly as possible. And I’d like to see people hold out and complete their term.”

Gallagher’s announcement came after he broke with the GOP on the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas along with Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who also resigned from Congress last month. The GOP will have a thin one-seat voting majority after Gallagher leaves amidst a political climate full of Republican infighting. Prior to resigning, Buck referred to the current Congress as the worst he has seen after nearly a decade in office.

Despite being one of the most conservative members of Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is being threatened with a motion to vacate by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) over working with Democrats on a spending bill. The threat throws another wrench in the GOP’s tumultuous control of the House of Representatives, where they have already ousted former Speaker Keving McCarthy (R-CA).

Wisconsin state Sen. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) is the only Republican currently on the primary ballot for Gallagher’s seat. A Democratic challenger has yet to be announced for the Aug. 13 primary election.

Steil is seeking his fourth term as the representative of Wisconsin’s First Congressional District.