Another Republican Calls It Quits

Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada announced Friday that he will retire at the end of his current term, adding to a growing list of GOP lawmakers stepping aside ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Amodei becomes the 30th House Republican to confirm he will not seek reelection, a notable development as both parties prepare for what is expected to be a closely contested election cycle.

“Serving the people of Nevada has been the honor of my lifetime,” Amodei said in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of our congressional district and grateful to Nevadans for the trust they placed in me. Every achievement worth pursuing began with listening to the people and defending our shared values.”

The Nevada Republican emphasized that his decision follows years of service and reflection, rather than political pressure.

“I came to Congress to help solve problems and ensure Nevada and our nation have a strong voice in federal policy and oversight,” Amodei said. “After 15 years, I believe this is the right time to complete my service and pass the torch.”

Senior Lawmaker Played Key Role in Federal Budget Oversight

At 67 years old, Amodei is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he has been responsible for overseeing funding for the Department of Homeland Security. That position placed him at the center of recent budget disputes, including a partial government shutdown and ongoing negotiations over future funding deadlines.

Immigration enforcement and border security funding have remained major points of contention in Congress, particularly as Democrats continue to push for changes to federal immigration policies.

Earlier this year, Amodei publicly expressed concern about the current state of immigration enforcement, saying the system is “not in a good place,” a view shared by many Republicans frustrated with Washington’s handling of border security.

Retirement Trends Raise Questions for Both Parties

While Republicans currently lead in announced retirements, Democrats are also seeing a significant number of departures. So far, 21 House Democrats have announced plans to retire or pursue other political offices.

These totals do not include lawmakers who passed away while in office, resigned midterm, or nonvoting members such as Washington, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. They also exclude New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, whose former House seat will be filled through a special election before the midterm season begins.

Historically, a higher number of retirements has often served as a warning sign for the party in power. Over the past four election cycles, the party with more departures has frequently ended up losing control of the House.

According to data compiled by Ballotpedia, recent retirement figures include:

• 2024: 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans
• 2022: 31 Democrats and 18 Republicans, when Republicans regained House control
• 2020: 9 Democrats, 26 Republicans, and one Libertarian
• 2018: 18 Democrats and 34 Republicans, the year Democrats captured the House during the so-called “blue wave”

As the midterm elections approach, Amodei’s retirement underscores the shifting political landscape in Washington and adds to growing uncertainty surrounding House control in the next Congress.