House Republicans lost a seat Monday following the official resignation of Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), who stepped down after helping shepherd President Donald Trump’s signature “One Big, Beautiful Bill” through Congress.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) confirmed Green’s resignation on the House floor, noting the chamber now stands at 431 members — with Republicans holding 219 seats and Democrats 212. Three additional seats, all formerly held by Democrats, remain vacant due to recent deaths, with special elections on the way.
Green, who chaired the House Homeland Security Committee, had previously announced he would retire after one final vote on the reconciliation package that included sweeping border security provisions and major conservative budget reforms. That vote came on July 3, sending the bill to Trump just in time for his Independence Day deadline.
Green, a former Army flight surgeon and combat veteran, was instrumental in passing key elements of Trump’s immigration and border crackdown — including the impeachment of Biden’s DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress,” Green said. “By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that. After that, I will retire.”
Despite winning re-election in 2024 by over 20 points, Green cited an “irresistible” private-sector offer as the final reason for his departure.
His exit sets up a special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Green has endorsed Matt Van Epps — an Army veteran and former commissioner in the Tennessee Department of General Services — as his preferred successor.
Meanwhile, the House GOP Steering Committee is expected to name a new Homeland Security Committee chair. Reps. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), and Michael Guest (R-MS) are among those vying for the role.
Though the GOP still maintains a working majority, every seat now matters as legislative fights over immigration, federal spending, and upcoming appropriations bills heat up ahead of the 2026 midterms.