Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee officially ended his congressional tenure on Sunday, creating another vacancy in the House of Representatives and further reducing the Republican majority.
According to Fox News, Green's departure leaves the House composition at 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats, with four total vacancies. The remaining vacancies stem from the departures of Democratic Representatives Sylvester Turner, Raul Grijalva, and Gerry Connolly.
Green announced his decision to leave Congress after securing passage of President Donald Trump's comprehensive border security legislation, which he helped oversee as House Homeland Security Committee chairman. His departure for an undisclosed private sector opportunity marks the end of his congressional service that began in 2019.
Green's tenure in Congress was marked by his leadership on homeland security issues and conservative policy initiatives. As committee chairman, he led the impeachment proceedings against former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The Tennessee representative had previously considered retirement at the end of the last Congress but chose to stay to ensure passage of Trump's border security measures. His commitment to conservative principles remained evident throughout his service.
During his time in office, Green worked on various legislative priorities, including tax reform, border security, and pro-life initiatives. His military background as an Army veteran influenced his approach to public service.
The vacancy in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District has already attracted several Republican candidates. The district, which Trump won by over 20 percentage points, is expected to remain in Republican control.
Green has officially endorsed Matt Van Epps, a fellow Army veteran and former commissioner of Tennessee's Department of General Services, as his preferred successor. The endorsement highlights their shared military background in Army special operations.
Other Republican contenders include Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, veteran Jonathan Thorp, Mason Foley, and state Representatives Jay Reedy, Lee Reeves, and Jody Barrett. The competitive field reflects strong interest in maintaining Republican representation.
The reduced Republican majority creates additional challenges for House leadership in passing legislation. With only 219 Republicans remaining, the margin for dissent has become increasingly narrow.
The current House composition, with 431 total members and four vacancies, underscores the delicate balance of power. Each vacancy and special election takes on heightened significance in maintaining party control.
The timing of Green's departure, following the passage of Trump's border security package, reflects his stated priority of seeing that legislation through before leaving office. His exit marks another shift in House dynamics.
The upcoming special election will determine who fills Green's seat for the remainder of the term. Van Epps, with Green's endorsement, has positioned himself as a continuation of Green's conservative legacy.
The district's strong Republican lean suggests the party will retain the seat, though the crowded primary field indicates a competitive race ahead. The winner will need to navigate both local interests and national party priorities.
The transition comes at a crucial time as Congress continues to address major policy issues including immigration reform and national security. The next representative will inherit Green's role in these ongoing debates.
