The already razor-thin Republican majority in the House just got smaller.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) abruptly resigned his seat, dealing a blow to GOP leadership as party control in Congress hangs by a thread.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell. 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 wrote in a post on X.
Green gave no detailed explanation for his sudden exit. First elected in 2018, he had served in the House since 2019 and chaired the Homeland Security Committee. His departure leaves Republicans with 219 seats to Democrats’ 212, with four seats now vacant. That seven-seat lead leaves little room for error as both parties brace for a fight heading into the 2026 midterms.
The timing is critical. Democrats are looking to retake the House, and momentum may be shifting. A recent CNN poll found that 72% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters said they were “extremely motivated” to vote in the next cycle—compared to just 50% of Republicans.
Tensions within the GOP are also rising. Fallout from the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has created new political headaches, particularly among allies of President Donald Trump. Some Republicans are distancing themselves, creating further cracks in party unity.
In the Senate, Republicans hold a slim edge as well—just 53 seats, with Democrats at 45 and two independents who typically vote with them.
Green’s departure doesn’t just shift the numbers—it raises the stakes. With control of Congress hanging in the balance, every seat now matters more than ever.
