Key Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher Announces Retirement
U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a prominent Republican congressman known for his efforts to counter the Chinese government, has announced that he will not seek re-election for a fifth term. This decision comes shortly after he faced backlash from fellow Republicans for refusing to support the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The GOP had hoped to use the impeachment as a way to hold the Biden administration accountable for its handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Refusal to Impeach Mayorkas
During a House impeachment vote on Tuesday, Gallagher was one of three Republicans who opposed the motion. Despite his fellow Republicans attempting to persuade him otherwise, he stood firm in his decision. The issue of the U.S.-Mexico border has become a significant point of contention, with record numbers of migrants seeking asylum and overwhelming U.S. cities ill-equipped to handle the influx.
Gallagher argued in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that impeachment would not solve the border crisis and could set a dangerous precedent for future Republican administrations. However, the failure of the impeachment vote was a setback for the GOP, leading Wisconsin Republicans to consider whether Gallagher should face a primary challenger.
Retirement Announcement
In his retirement statement, Gallagher did not mention the impeachment vote but instead expressed his desire to avoid a long career in Washington. He emphasized that serving in Congress was never intended to be a lifelong career and stated that he does not want to grow old in the political sphere.
Gallagher clarified that the backlash he faced over the impeachment vote did not influence his decision to retire. He believes that people understand that agreement on every issue is not necessary and that public opinion is often short-lived.
Although attempts to reach Gallagher’s offices for comment were unsuccessful, it is known that he has represented northeastern Wisconsin in Congress since 2017. He is a former Marine and has been a leading figure in countering China, serving as the head of a House committee dedicated to this cause.
Countering China
Gallagher has been vocal about the need to address the growing influence of China. He sees the competition between the U.S. and China as a crucial struggle that will shape the future. Tensions between the two countries have been escalating, with both sides imposing tariffs during Trump’s presidency. The Chinese government’s response to COVID-19, aggression towards Taiwan, and the discovery of a possible spy balloon have only heightened concerns among lawmakers.
Chinese officials have criticized Gallagher’s committee, accusing its members of bias and maintaining a Cold War mentality. Gallagher’s retirement announcement comes as a surprise, as he was previously considering a run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin. However, he decided to focus on countering China through his committee and seek re-election to the House.