- The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Rep. Ken Buck’s surprise announcement Tuesday that he is quitting Congress at the end of next week drew sneers from fellow Republicans.

His exit, which he blamed on dysfunction on Capitol Hill under his party’s leadership, will cut the House GOP majority to a mere two votes. 

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blasted Mr. Buck of Colorado for the abrupt exit, months ahead of his expected retirement at the end of the year.

“I think he’s going to be on a network, probably one of the left-leaning networks and will be attacking Republicans in another couple of weeks,” said Ms. Greene of Georgia. “He got a job. That’s why he’s leaving.”

Although recent reports say Mr. Buck has no future TV contract in place, Ms. Greene said she and other Republicans believe otherwise.

Mr. Buck has become an outspoken critic of his Republican Party as he prepared to leave Congress, fueling speculation that he was seeking a job as a TV news commentator.

Ms. Greene said Mr. Buck had burned bridges with his Republican colleagues.

“He is the next Adam Kinzinger that nobody cares about and Liz Cheney that nobody cares about,” she said. “That’s Ken Buck’s future. I wish him well.”

Mr. Kinzinger and Ms. Cheney, Republicans and foes of former President Donald Trump who left Congress, are now contributors at CNN.

Mr. Buck’s surprised announcement Tuesday that he’s quitting earlier than expected includes a mention of his plans to stay involved in politics.

“I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family,” he said.

In an interview on CNN, Mr. Buck blamed his abrupt departure on the dysfunction in Congress.

“It is the worst year of the nine years and three months that I’ve been in Congress and having talked to former members, it’s the worst year in 40, 50 years to be in Congress. But I’m leaving because I think there’s a job to do out there,” he said. “This place has just devolved into this bickering and nonsense and not really doing the job for the American people.”

His move will reduce the House Republican majority to 218 to 213. House Speaker Mike Johnson will be able to lose just two votes to pass Republican legislation.

Mr. Buck announced late last year that he would not seek a sixth term in Congress, citing his disillusionment with the Republican Party following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The lawmaker was also one of eight House Republicans who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, sending Congress into a tailspin while the GOP searched for a replacement.

Rep. Lauren Boebert and eight other Republicans are running to replace Mr. Buck in November. His exit complicates that race in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District by adding a special election to complete the current term that will coincide with the GOP primary on June 25.

“I don’t think anybody cares about Ken Buck. I just feel sorry for those poor people in his district that have to run all these elections. What a mess,” said Ms. Greene.

Colorado state Rep. Richard Holtorf, who was already running in the GOP primary, told The Denver Post that it was “another selfish move by Congressman Buck” that would “throw this race into confusion.”

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.

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