Rep. Claudia Tenney shared her concerns about the dwindling House Republican majority with multiple lawmakers announcing their departures from Congress.
Ms. Tenney said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the latest member to head for the exit, has “gotta stay.”
“We’re perilous. We could end up having a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries in the interim here while we’re waiting for a special election,” Ms. Tenney, New York Republican, said on Fox News.
Mr. Gallagher, Wisconsin Republican, announced Friday that he would vacate his seat next month without finishing the term. When he leaves, the House Republicans could not lose more than one GOP vote on a pass party-line vote.
“Personally, if you’re going to make a commitment to the people that elect you, that you’re going to serve for two years unless you have a really good reason not to serve, then why would you do that?” Ms. Tenney said. “And aren’t we Team Republican?”
There are currently four vacant House seats.
A special election is set for May to fill the California seat previously held by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The open seats held by former GOP Reps. Bill Johnson of Ohio and Ken Buck of Colorado will be filled by special election in June.
Former Rep. Brian Higgins, New York Democrat, will have his seat filled by a special election in April.
Since Mr. Gallagher announced his resignation would be after April 9, state law says no special election will be called to fill the seat. His seat will remain vacant until someone is elected in the general election in November.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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