Tennessee Congressman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) has officially announced his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives, a decision that narrows the already slim Republican majority and presents new challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Green, who has represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District since 2018, shared the news on Friday through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), thanking his constituents for their trust over the years.
“To my constituents across Tennessee’s 7th District—thank you. The trust you put in me is humbling. I will look back fondly on my years of serving as your voice in Washington,” Green wrote.
Resignation Effective July 20
According to Fox News, Green’s resignation will become official on July 20, as stated in a letter he submitted to Republican House leadership. With his departure, the Republican majority in the House drops to 219-212, further tightening the party’s already narrow margin.
His exit means the GOP will operate with less flexibility until a special election is held to fill the seat—likely to remain under Republican control due to the district’s conservative leaning.
Increased Pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson
The timing of Green’s resignation adds pressure to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is already struggling to unify the Republican caucus. Just this week, Johnson faced internal disagreements while attempting to pass former President Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill.”
With fewer votes to spare, Johnson now faces an even tougher job corralling Republican lawmakers around key legislation—especially with midterm positioning and party divisions in play.
Green to Enter Private Sector with China-Focused Business Plan
While Green’s resignation had been expected—following comments in June about stepping down—his reason for leaving is now clear: a move to the private sector. He revealed he is starting a new business aimed at helping America economically compete with China.
“While I cannot give the details here, I will be doing something specifically designed to help America compete against the CCP [Chinese Communist Party], but this time in business,” he explained in a video posted on X.
Green has served as Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and his departure marks a shift for one of the most visible Republicans on national security.
Growing Trend of GOP Departures
Green’s resignation adds to a growing wave of Republican lawmakers leaving office. Recently, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) stepped down to serve in the Trump administration. Additionally, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a centrist Republican, has announced he will not seek re-election—creating a potentially competitive race in Nebraska’s Omaha-based district.
Green originally took office after succeeding Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who moved on to serve in the Senate. His departure is yet another sign of change within the GOP as the party prepares for the 2024 election cycle.
