As a cascade of congressional resignations -- particularly among powerful committee chairs -- continues to make headlines, Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), currently serving as the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has announced his decision to depart the chamber at the end of the current session, as The Hill reports.
At 59 years old, Green has served his state's 7th Congressional District since 2018, and according to the Cook Political Report, that is a part of Tennessee likely to remain in the “solid Republican” despite his exit from the legislature.
In declaring his intentions on Wednesday, Green noted that he wanted to “go out with a win” following the successful conclusion of his panel's work in bringing about the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
As the New York Post noted, Green's committee approved two impeachment articles against Mayorkas back in January, despite Democratic colleagues' attempts to halt the process.
Though a first effort in the House to impeach Mayorkas failed earlier in February, Republicans on Tuesday evening narrowly accomplished the objective Green had pursued for months.
“I've accomplished what I wanted to. I wanted to get a great border security bill done. We did that, and I wanted to hold the administration accountable, and we just impeached for the first time a sitting Cabinet secretary,” Green said.
A press release from Green's office detailed the congressman's stated reasons for leaving office and outlined why he now believes “it is time for [him] to return home.”
“In reading the writings of our Framers, I was reminded of their intent for representatives to be citizen-legislators, to serve for a season and then return home,” Green said.
Remarking on the current state of the nation and the lawmaking process more specifically, Green went on, “Our country -- and our Congress -- is broken beyond most means of repair.”
“I have come to realize our fight is not here within Washington, our fight is with Washington. As I have done my entire life, I will continue serving this country – but in a new capacity,” the congressman continued.
Prior to beginning his tenure in the U.S. House back in 2019, Green's background included time spent as an Army surgeon as well as service in the Tennessee legislature.
Though he has not given any specific insights as to what he plans to do next, Green has been the subject of some speculation that he may enter the 2026 race to become Tennessee's next governor, according to The Hill.
Green did, however, express his willingness to take an active role in helping a Republican reclaim the White House.
“I'm gonna go help Donald Trump win the presidency,” Green declared, and that is a pledge countless of his supporters back home and across the country undoubtedly hopes he will keep.
