Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) has officially stepped down from the House of Representatives, further narrowing the GOP’s already slim majority.
Green’s resignation was noted on the House floor Monday, bringing the number of active members down from 432 to 431. The Tennessee Republican, who served as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, had previously signaled his plans to move into a role outside of Congress.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell,” Green wrote earlier this month on X (formerly Twitter). “To my constituents across Tennessee’s 7th District—thank you. The trust you put in me is humbling. I will look back fondly on my years of serving as your voice in Washington.”
Green, who first took office in 2019, leaves behind a GOP House majority that now stands at just 219 seats, compared to 212 held by Democrats—a seven-seat gap. The vacancy adds to growing Republican concerns as both parties gear up for the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections.
Shifting Landscape Amid Controversy
Republican unity has also been tested recently by fallout over the Trump administration’s handling of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The controversy has triggered quiet frustration among some GOP lawmakers and created a distraction just as campaign season heats up.
Meanwhile, Democratic voters appear energized. A new CNN poll found that 72% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they are “extremely motivated” to vote in the next election. In contrast, only 50% of Republicans and GOP-leaning voters reported the same level of enthusiasm.
Senate Majority Also at Risk
Republicans currently hold a narrow 53-45 advantage in the Senate, with two independents caucusing with Democrats. That balance, like the one in the House, could easily shift in the 2026 midterms.
With Green’s departure and multiple hot-button issues dominating headlines, both parties are bracing for what could be a fiercely competitive and volatile election cycle.
