Denver, Colorado – In a surprising announcement, Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado revealed that he will be departing from Congress at the end of next week. Buck, known for his staunch conservative views and occasional clashes with his own party, cited dysfunction in Capitol Hill as a driving factor in his decision to leave.
During an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Buck expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs in Congress, calling it the “worst year” of his nine-year tenure. He highlighted the lack of progress and gridlock that has engulfed the legislative body, emphasizing the need for a different approach to serving the American people.
Buck’s departure will have significant implications for the partisan breakdown in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. With his exit, the balance of power will shift, posing challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson in navigating legislation with a slim margin of control.
The decision to step down before the end of his term will narrow the gap between Republicans and Democrats in the House, potentially complicating the passage of bills along party lines. Buck’s departure will leave Republicans with a precarious edge, making every vote crucial in determining the fate of legislative initiatives.
When pressed on whether his decision was influenced by Donald Trump’s status as the presumptive GOP nominee, Buck emphasized his concern about the broken system of candidate selection. He expressed a desire to engage in reforming this process, stressing the need for better candidates to represent the American people at all levels of government.
Buck, a former prosecutor with the Department of Justice, first entered Congress in 2014. He had previously announced that he would not seek reelection, citing stagnant progress in Congress and his party’s denial of election results as contributing factors to his decision not to run in 2024. With his departure, the House will bid farewell to a vocal conservative voice, leaving a void in the already contentious political landscape.