On Monday, U.S. Representative Michael Burgess, a Republican representing the Dallas area, declared that he will not pursue re-election in the upcoming year, marking the conclusion of his twenty-year tenure in office.
In an announcement issued on Monday afternoon, Burgess expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to go from a medical practitioner in a small town, where he mostly focused on delivering infants, to assuming a political role as a representative of his local community in the United States Congress.
“It has been the honor of my life to have gone from a small-town doctor delivering babies, with no prior political experience, to elected to represent my friends and neighbors in the United States Congress,” he said.
Representative Michael Burgess
Burgess, aged 72, initially secured the position in 2002 following the retirement of House Majority Leader Dick Armey, who had occupied the seat since the mid-1980s. Notably, Burgess triumphed over Armey’s son in the electoral contest. Burgess has consistently maintained his hold on the Republican stronghold in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, encountering minimal opposition throughout his tenure.
Rep. Michael Burgess watches President Trump sign a law to combat the opioid crisis
Dr. Burgess, a medical professional specializing in obstetrics, has established himself as a prominent figure within the Republican Party, particularly on matters pertaining to healthcare. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving physician in the United States Congress.
Burgess, who previously held the position of head for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, is from a lineage of medical professionals who relocated from Canada to the United States in order to evade the healthcare system prevalent in their home country.
Burgess exhibited a steadfast opposition to the Democratic endeavors aimed at restructuring the United States healthcare system throughout the Obama administration. During the tenure of the Trump administration, Burgess emerged as a pivotal figure within the Republican Party’s endeavors to dismantle the significant Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also referred to as “Obamacare.”
Burgess, a member of the House Budget Committee and Rules Committee, has made public his decision to leave, after another longstanding Texas Republican’s announcement of resignation. U.S. Representative Kay Granger, the inaugural Republican female representative from the state of Texas in the United States Congress, who has maintained her position representing Fort Worth since 1997, has announced her decision to abstain from seeking reelection.
Earlier this month, two Republican members of Congress declared their intentions to not seek reelection in the upcoming year. Notably, one of these individuals has attributed their decision to the actions of former President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, Representatives Ken Buck, a Republican from Colorado, and Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas, publicly declared their positions. Buck conveyed to MSNBC that his decision is influenced, at least “in part to his party’s reliance on former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.”
During an interview on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” Buck expressed, “I’ve decided, Andrea, I’m not going to seek re-election.”
The Colorado Republican made his announcement subsequent to Granger’s declaration of her intention to retire in the upcoming year.
“I’m joining Kay and probably some others in the near future, but I’ve decided that it is time for me to do some other things,” Buck declared. “I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues, and I’m also disappointed that the Republican Party continues to rely on this lie that the 2020 election was stolen and rely on the Jan. 6 narrative and political prisoners from Jan. 6 and other things.”
He further observed that “If we’re going to solve difficult problems, we’ve got to deal with some very unpleasant truths or lies and make sure that we project to the public what the truth is.”
Buck expressed his intention to remain affiliated with the Republican Party, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming 2024 elections in both the presidential race and the House of Representatives.
According to Granger, the chairperson of the influential House Appropriations Committee, she asserts that it is opportune for an individual of a younger generation to assume her position.
“As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district,” she proclaimed. “It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.”
“Although I am not running for re-election, I plan to serve out the remainder of my term and work with our new Speaker and my colleagues to advance our conservative agenda and finish the job I was elected to do,” she promised.
According to NBC News, “Granger represents part of Fort Worth and its western suburbs, serving in the House since 1997. She previously served as mayor of Fort Worth. Buck’s district covers the eastern portion of Colorado, east of Denver. Both represent safe Republican districts, according to the Cook Political Report.
Both lawmakers were among the House Republicans who voted to certify Joe Biden’s election in 2020, splitting from the 147 members of their conference who voted to overturn the results.”
The post Longtime Republican Congressman Suddenly Announces He’s Out appeared first on The Republic Brief.
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