U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
As Republicans cling to a majority of just 220-213 seats with two vacancies, rumors are swirling that the GOP could lose the gavel even before a single vote is cast in next year’s midterms as a result of early retirements. While members of Congress are free to resign and explore whatever other opportunities they wish, there should be consequences for failing to honor the compact they made with voters.
Late last month, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shocked the political world when she announced that she would resign from Congress effective January 5, 2026. In a video statement on social media, Ms. Greene explained that she has become disillusioned with Republican Party leadership and with President Donald Trump, whom she once championed.
With Greene’s retirement, the math becomes precarious for House Speaker Mike Johnson. After January 5, Republicans will have a 219-213 majority. A special election in January to fill the late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s (D-TX) seat makes it 219-214. On April 16, voters in New Jersey will choose the replacement for Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who represented a D+9 district. That’s another likely win for Democrats, making the count 219-215.
This scenario would leave Republicans with just a one-seat majority (if a vote is tied, the bill fails) – meaning that any unexpected deaths or illnesses could suddenly put Democrats back in charge of the chamber.
But the even bigger nightmare scenario is if more Republicans decide to go the way of Ms. Greene and retire early. According to Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman, following the news of Ms. Greene’s retirement, “A few other GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term.” Those members allegedly told Sherman that the House GOP caucus is a “tinder box” and “more explosive early resignations are coming.”
A party winning a House majority and then losing it before another election would be unprecedented in American history. But while the drama over who controls the House is indeed worth following, it has cast an important spotlight on a deeper problem: members quitting on their constituents. The current crisis is not just a crisis for the Republican Party (plenty of Democrats have and continue to quit in the middle of their terms) but for democratic accountability.
When members walk away mid-term, the damage is not abstract. Their districts are left without a voting representative for months, meaning no voice in committee hearings, no ability to advocate for local priorities, and no one to intervene when residents need help navigating federal agencies. Constituent casework slows to a crawl, federal grants and community projects lose momentum, and entire regions are ignored. Hundreds of thousands of Americans no longer have a voice in Washington because one person decided to leave real people without the representation they were promised.
Of course, not every resignation is an act of neglect. Genuine medical emergencies, family crises, or situations that make continued service impossible do arise, and voters can understand when a member steps aside for reasons beyond their control. But those rare cases only underscore how often early departures are driven not by necessity but by frustration, ambition, or convenience — and why higher expectations, not lower ones, should remain the standard.
Plenty of ink has already been spilled on whether Ms. Greene’s complaints about President Trump and the Republican Party are justified. I won’t relitigate that here, nor will I traffic in the corporate media narrative using her departure as a wedge to divide conservatives. Plenty of Democrats have done precisely what Ms. Greene is doing.
But what cannot be denied is that Ms. Greene broke an agreement that she made with her constituents when they elected her to a two-year term last November. That term began in January 2025 and ends in January 2027. Ultimately, as she herself has acknowledged, she signed up to serve the people of Georgia’s 14th Congressional District – not President Trump or even the Republican Party. Her responsibility is to her voters, and by quitting early she is shirking that responsibility.
There should be consequences for politicians who violate this trust that voters place in them. Everyday Americans face penalties for breaking the terms of a contract, from ending an apartment lease early to buying out of a gym membership. Why should elected officials not be held to the same standard for something as important as serving in Congress?
Ideally, any member who resigns early would be barred from running for another elected office ever again, with carve-outs as mentioned above. However, the Supreme Court has made clear in cases like U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton (1995) that neither states nor Congress can impose new qualifications (like previously resigning) on who can hold federal office without amending the Constitution. Even if you could get three-fourths of state legislatures to sign off, it would be virtually impossible to get two-thirds of the House and Senate to agree to effectively limit their future career opportunities.
The best solution may be to strongly discourage early resignations. Since Congress controls its own retirement system, it could impose pension penalties on members who resign early. (Notably, Greene’s resignation comes just over five years after she was first sworn in – the exact minimum amount of time necessary to vest in the congressional pension fund.)
The parties could also impose rules about nominating or endorsing candidates who have bailed early in the past. Doing so could even be beneficial, as it shows party leadership cares about finding candidates whom voters can trust to not only do the job, but finish the job – even if other opportunities come along or they get frustrated along the way.
Even this seems like a fantasy, particularly given the frustratingly meager progress of the movement to impose term limits on Congress. Despite the fact that more than 80 percent of Americans – including large supermajorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – support such a policy, it gets nowhere because doing so would require politicians to check their own power.
The most important thing at this juncture, then, may be simply starting the conversation. If voters are tired of being treated as expendable, then it’s time to demand higher standards from those who ask for their trust. At the very least, early resignations should no longer be cost-free for the politicians who walk away from the people they promised to serve.
Shane Harris is the Editor in Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
Get rid of Congressional salaries and retirement pensions and put members on a limited stipend so they can do their jobs. Too many members have somehow become multimillionaires on their meager salaries (we do know they have violated many of the laws that are supposed in keep them reined in, but their spouses somehow got financial tips to get rich). Congressional representative positions were never meant to be a “full time” job as they now have become. Many representatives have become corrupt and continue to defy the law. It is long pass due to clean the Congress.
Shame on MTG and all the others who do not fulfill their office they were voted in for. Shame on them…where is their loyalty to this country. Suck it up and finish your job!!! We all have to! All talk and no action!! Grow the heck up!!
When you hit them in the pocketbook by stop trading, give term limits, stop rigged elections, only pay them if they are in Congress doing their jobs, stop allowing lobbyists to buy Congrssmen and Senators, hold judges and DA’s accountable for allowing criminals to run free, then maybe something good would change. Our judicial system and government is a cesspool of corruption.
If a person is elected to the position, quitting should null and void any pension related to the position. 5 years to draw a pendion for the rest of your life? People wonder why our debt is so high. There should be no pension period for elected officials. You serve and then you are out. Being full time politicians invites corruption. If they served two terms and then had to rely solely on a civilian career to pay the bills, they would take better care of the working class.
It is obvious as the nose on your face she was out to collect a lifetime paycheck and that is all.
Just because a representative may not support all of their party’s or the president’s policies is no reason to quit. Their constituents who put them there in the first place still count on them to do the right thing which is uphold these people’s trust in them. I really liked her even though I do not live in her state. Now this country needs all of the conservatives in Congress to stop the uprising of the evil Communists!
I totally agree. This should result of losing their pensions.
During and after the pandemic, I considered Rand Paul a hero because he was investigating Anthony Fauci. But lately he is going against things that President Trump is trying to get done. I feel betrayed by Mr Paul.
I did always like MTG but now am ashamed of her.
I agree politicians should finish out the contract they have with their voters. I hate to see governors quit in the middle of their term to run for president. Finish your commitment to your voters then do what you want to do.
SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO QUIT, UNLESS IT’S A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!! THEY SHOULD COMPLETE THEIR YEARS AND THEN QUIT!!!
Green is a sour grapes, strictly self-centered coward ever since she went off the rails with her anti-party actions and overall behavior, which has has caused an expected reactions between her, many of her colleagues and 47. Her feelings got hurt and now she’s throwing a rebellious political temper tantrum, thinking only of herself and all the money she will receive for the rest of her life.
GEE, BETRAY TOUR PARTY, THROW A TEMPER TANTRUM, QUIT YOUR JOB YOU WERE ENTRUSTED TO DO AND GET MONETARILY REWARDED FOR IT. OH, AND TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO GO TO HELL.
SUCH TYPICAL POLITICAL BETRAYAL, SCREW THE TAXPAYERS AGAIN, BULL $HIT.
Serve out your term like a responsible adult. Your constituents were counting on you to do your job!!
I really cannot figure MTG out. Is she throwing a hissy fit or has she been a RINO all along? As for the others, when they ran they made a pact with their voters! Especially in a so-even divided House, bailing out now is abominable! The House would never vote for sanctions because they might want to do the same thing later! If you have a LOYAL, pro-America representative, be THANKFUL!
They quit, they lose ALL benefits immediately including retirement!
get rid of rigged elections first
This was such a disappointment. If she had any allegience to her constituents should would continue the conservative agenda that she promised she would. I’m so angry at the BS.
Very good points! The suggestion that those who resign before they complete their terms should do so at the loss of the pension with exceptions made for circumstances beyond their control. Even then, the pension should be reduced based on time served.
Both sides esp Dems since they do it the Most
Many get elected & do Zero for voters who put them there.
& thus the DC Swamp
There should be no congressional pension plan. You serve your elected terms and go home to your chosen profession. MTG is acting like a spoiled child who is taking her toys and going home because something was said she didn’t like.
Yes, Trump i a bully and he called her a traitor. So she proves him right by betraying her constituents. I thought she was a stronger person than that but I guess I was wrong.
She and and any others thinking about resigning need to understand that Trump is not the end all. We The People need them to fight for US and for the USA.
IF YOU ARE IN AN ELECTED POSITION BY YOUR CONSTITUENTS, YOU SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FULFILL YOUR OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE!
There should be consequences for any politician who is serving more than one term. There isn’t one single politician in either party who isn’t corrupt and venal and everyone of them should be serving life behind bars. All of them are backstabbing, lowlifes of the worst sort.
Maybe the early quitters should have to forfeit a percentage of those generous pensions to help cover the costs of the special elections forced on their constituents.
Yes She should be fined and lose all benefits. It should be a painful departure. Obviously she has no regard for her constituents of Georgia or American Citizens.
All three of my representatives,Paul,McConnell,and Massie should switch parties and become democrats because that’s how they vote. In other words, they suck!
How about punishing politicians for violating their oath of office as well?
Self-serving elected officials at every level of government are seldom held accountable to the people who got them elected. Not only punished but forever banned from public office permanently.
She knows what she wants. Does she know what her constituents want? Does she care about the concerns of her constituents? It is difficult to interpret this as other than the selfish action of a very child-like person.
I believe they should have to finish the time they were voted in for. This isn’t a regular job, people voted you in, they believed in you. Same goes for people who want to which parties in the middle of their time in office.NO you weren’t voted in by the other side, finish then run on a different ticket.
I live in north central Illinois which is really downstate,with chitcago in the equation our conservative votes don’t count and we end up with Pritzker and his bunch of liberal democ rat cronies.Then look at Illinois and the condition it’s in.Like JOHN KENNEDY says,the creek won’t clear up until the HOGS get out,it’s the truth.
At a time when Democrats are arguably losing much credibility due to a massive, countrywide campaign full of lies, exaggeration, misinformation, and plain old stupidity, it it very disheartening to watch someone like MTG walk away from her sworn duty to her constituents, her political party, and American in general. It is kind of unfathomable she, for whatever reasons, walks away from a commitment she made when voters picked her to represent them in Congress.
The United States of America and its many citizens deserve so much better with all the garbage the Democrats are shoving down our throats, not due to superior planning and polititicking. Due to the simple fact that eager nations such as China and India and several other jealous countries who so want to replace the USA as the most powerful country in the world and so send billions of dollars to the weakest political link, the dumb Democrats.
At a time when we can see the beginnings of repairing all of the damage done by the Obamas, COVID, and four years of citizens wondering who was their president, Marjorie was a bright shiny little star, a true MAGA believer decides that her disillusionment with “whatever” turned her around, and walked her sad little self away from her so-called commitment.
I find myself now, starting to feel like I did when Biden wasn’t president. Wondering what the heck is wrong with everyone these days? Hillary should be in jail! No arguments there! As we uncover more and more corruption from the left – who somehow in the midst of watching our current president fix so much junk thrust upon us since King Obama took office, instead of hope and gratitude, run through the streets with “NoKings signs (again wondered if they exclude King Obama from their absurd “No Kings” marches).
I wonder why Obama lied to us for two weeks after he was complicit in getting one of our most valuable ambassadors, Christopher Steven’s, killed in Benghazi, Syria, as he walked around with an idiotic video tape claiming this was the reason the criminals in Syria were so angry and burned the ambassador’s house down killing the Ambassador and several men who broke protocol to come to his aid and try to protect him. Why?? And the King Obama walks around free as a bird, with many millions no one can figure out how he got. Move onto Biden. Again, how did he get away with not having a physical, or a mental exam when Trump has made all of his test results, all perfect, all showing he is a very healthy man all public for us to see. And yet, turn on any liberal outlet or newspaper and there are lies upon lies that Trump is hiding something because he “looks tired.” How does Biden get away Scot-free with handing over Afghanistan along with Bagram AFB and billions of dollars of our most updated war tech to terrorists?
I am feeling such a drag lately, with every horrible, stupid thing the Democrats dream up and light the fuse to try and blow up our country. It feels like the Republicans have given up and the Dumb Democrats, with their childhood lies and games, are plunging ahead. Next stop: COMMUNISM!!! If you don’t think this is what all the money pouring into Democratic coffers (is this what Democracy means?), you aren’t paying attention. I don’t know what Democracy means these days because our government appears to be doing the last 16 years all over again. So, the elite have an evil plan, but hush – don’t tell anyone! Set up the puppet Democrats with so much money, they can buy off anyone for their ultimate communist agenda.
And I honestly have lost that bright shiny feeling I had a year ago when Donald Trump was elected president. After four very long and horrible years of watching America slide into suppressing all speech except what THEY want, I also am learning that evil and money go hand in hand and if we Republicans don’t get our heads back on TOP of our bodies, we will lose the greatest country, the envy of the world, to a very low IQ group of people calling themselves Democrats.
Margaret Taylor Greene? What is wrong with you? You had the prize – something we average people can only dream about. You took someone else’s place, someone with strength, intelligence, and the fortitude to withstand our corrupt government and maybe make it better. Shame on you, lady!!! You HAD it!! The chance to help make things better. Your bad behavior has really hurt the good guys. We will never forget!!
I am disappointed in the early resignations. Congress is really a “den of thieves” which is composed of many sociopaths and psychopaths. A more honest person may find it difficult in such an environment but we as humans must learn to change and learn that the beliefs and opinions of others need not impact us and are not necessarily true. The reason the country is in trouble is that many of our political leaders in both political parties are sociopaths/psychopaths and are willing to destroy the county in order to win to achieve their objectives. I hate to see the United States go away but perhaps that is going to happen. Europe is doomed and will evolve into an Islamic culture within the next generation. This is sad but true. Our political leaders no longer believe in doing the right or moral thing.
That is probably why CONSTITUENT’S SHOULD NEVER SEND PERSONAL MONEY TO HELP. When they make up their minds they don’t want to do it anymore, they just leave, no LOYALTY.
I hope that in some manner Ms. Greene can be convinced to choose to complete her term in office. She needs to realize that she serves at the pleasure of her constituents who placed her in office, not the president nor her peers in office.
While I can see circumstances that would necessitate a politician to quit, i.e. illness, illness of a loved one who needs constant care, a family business in danger of failing without the presence of said politician, I also tend to believe they have a commitment to their constituents that supersedes their personal preferences and likes, No one forced them run for office, they gladly accepted the privileges, and swore an oath of office, they do not even remotely face the same dangers our volunteers in the military face who swore a similar oath. Yet, our servicemembers are bound to serving their time in service, unless it can be demonstrated that their absence from home causes one of the aforementioned hardships, or they are physically no longer able to serve. Terms of members of Congress are either 2, or 6 years I don’t see any reason why they can’t serve out their term of office and then leave. If a servicemember decides to leave before the end of the term of service because he/she doesn’t like their assignment, or has another better job offer they are unable to do so. Not showing up is called being AWOL Absent Without Leave, or desertion.
If you make a commitment to the American people, there needs to be an accountability, and fairness of standards, it is bad enough that members of Congress enjoy such privilege as their exorbitant salaries in comparison to what a person makes who might be asked to die for this country, let alone their insider trading. There needs to be a commission, not of congress, but constituted of randomly picked citizens to decide if a politician gets to abandon their willingly accepted and sought after office early, and only after demonstrated reasons why,
Also, there should be some form of process for parties to motivate and discipline or discharge members who refuse to do their work at hand. I believe we should welcome a ban on parties altogether because they are not mentioned in our Constitution, did not exist at the founding of our nation, and certainly while factions existed at the time, they were never envisioned as such structured political clubs, and their existence as of late seems to hinder the workings of congress more than they promote them. As a matter of fact, these parties no longer seem to have government for the people and our country’s interest foremost at their agenda as was clearly demonstrated by the last administration and its congress, or by the barrage of bad biased judicial decisions made by party owned activist judges this year whose only interest is to obstruct, and gum up the works of the current administration. The existence of parties and their campaigning machines has made running for office in our country without party support, and big donors a virtual financial impossibility for independent candidates, and it has bred a whole class of professional politicians who care less about their constituents but about remaining in office in perpetuity, by any means necessary instead.
An Article V Convention of States is the only way we can solve these issues, create accountability for congress, and put some measures to protect our constitution from those who want to take any crisis as an excuse to upend and ignore it , and ensure that our taxes only pay for things our country needs, and that will serve the interest of U.S. citizens only.
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been “iffy” from the start.
I am so very disappointed with Majorie Taylor Greene!!! She is not only betraying her constituents but every Republican American in our country!! I called her and left a message for to be ashamed of herself . . you should call her, too!!
Why does it seem it’s only the weak kneeepublicans who bail on their fellow members AND the Citizens in their districts?
IF you will not or cannot be strong,represent US,and support OUR CHOICE as President,then they really aren’t Conservative Republians, and should stay out of politics!
Seems weak and odd that the marxist Democrats can control and dictate to their party members and stand together, but Republicans sabotage the President WE the PEOPLE elect!!!
MTG ego got in the way when her extreme views were not supported by republicans everywhere and she wanted to get out because her goal of getting a pension had been reached. She turned a turncoat image, which the voters who voted for her will not soon forget. Her reason for resigning was flawed. But as soon as she got any opposition in her thinking she quit. Instead of fighting for her position. Like a dog with its tail between his legs she fled. And many others do the same. And the ones who have been there 30-40 years never leave. There are no politicians anymore that will fight for their constituents and their party. They all want to be little dictators and push through what they think should be done. And not sit down and possibly work out a solution that would be good for the people and the country. MTG abandoned her constituents and the Republican Party whose members supported her. Maybe changing the retirement rules might take this problem away. MTG is doing exactly what these illegal migrants are doing. Get rich and then leave or overthrow the country.
Congress, states, counties, cities, townships—wherever relevant–must pass elective office laws making completing elective terms mandatory with criminal penalties for abandoning one’s elective post. Civic oportunities begat civic responsibilites. The compact between individuals elected to public office and those who are their electors must not be allowed to be trashed by public servants disgruntled with the attitudes and behaviors of their associates and oppositional actors.
Vesting should only be at the full-term point, not a 5-year vesting for a six-year term, and each term should require the same with no piggybacks (double pensioning). Lodging for those serving should be minimal provided apts. near their place of work, not an excuse to bilk the taxpayer for elite lodging and 2nd homes, especially when many are criminally declaring that they live in a State they don’t represent (James, Swalwell, Schiff…) which should also terminate their eligibility and tenure (already law). Further, since the people elect representatives and legislatures or executives don’t, the vacancy should remain until the people make a decision, not for the “ruling” party to plug in their flunky and take their sweet time providing for an election (this would not happen so often if the criteria was locked to non-political necessity rather than personal hissy fits or demands, if they don’t like the Party, change Parties and not defraud the people). Pay should be by appearance and voting, not a blanket salary where some pull a full salary and have not shown up and/or voted for literally years. If you don’t show for work, you are penalized why aren’t they? Their job is to legislate for and in this country and that should minimize any outside DISTRACTIONS or CORRUPTIONS. Free military flights should be thereto limited to in country. All exterior functions should require minimal accommodations, no elite vacations disguised as meetings, conferences, or research. The abuses are extreme and many and this is why so many are “negligent” in oath, duty and loyalty.
I get it, this is not the best move she’s made, but there are plenty, who should have been booted out long ago, all Maxine Waters, that encourage lawlessness, violence and harm. Criminal investigation would be appropriate. Constituent would only benefit from their demise.
I couldn’t agree more with the Author in this article. What a shame or should I say sham, when the politician clearly favors themselves over the office and “The People”, that they said was an Honor of a Lifetime.
My immediate family and I live in California (Conservative Kern County), my wife and I own our home and are both retired. We did it the old fashioned way, hard work in jobs we didn’t always love, but we kept our eyes on the big picture and had to make our career and personal sacrifices when they were needed……but we didn’t quit. We made it through the highest taxes of any of our States, the most over-regulated, the highest cost in housing, the highest gas prices, and the highest utility expenses.
Now, one of our 3 daughters bought a home directly across the street from us, with her husband and 4 of 5 of our Grandchildren. My wife and I adopted our eldest Grandson when he was 3 months old. All of the Grandparents out there that may read this know what that means! That’s right, we CANNOT retire to a conservative Red State where our retirement funds would go much further than our over-taxed, and sadly, mis-managed once Great State of California. If a miracle happens in our One Party State and a Conservative Republican is elected into the Office of Governor (hopefully for 8 years), then our lives will all get better financially.
I will tell you this to wrap this up, lately for a year or so, I’ve been bombarded with Republican emails and phone calls to give, give, give! I get it, it takes a lot of it these days! I donate when and where I can, but nowhere near as regularly as when we were working. What I don’t appreciate is when the WinRed PAC and others (The texts say they’re from President Trump personally, more than likely from the office of), put on the pressure and try to shame me into giving up allocated and tightly budgeted money that would clearly affect us in a negative manner. I wonder how many conservatives that I donated to over the years will come to my financial rescue when I turn around that pressure and apply it to them? Your guess is probably the exact same as mine! I don’t quit though! I do text them back and give them verbal hell and ask them why they are behaving like the Democratic Party? With respect, of course.
The “drop outs” should not be rewarded with healthcare/retirement/pension. In addition, Congress people should be required to have their own healthcare & live under the same laws as the citizenry.
Since congress will not vote to limit their own terms, perhaps it should be up to the President to do it.
It is beyond despicable that ANY elected official should leave the job to which they were elected by We The People, except for the most serious of reasons – and “hurt feelings” or “a better opportunity or job” are NOT more important. Campaigning, asking for and receiving monetary donations to help get elected, promising to represent the people – and then leaving for the most frivolous of reasons – is borderline criminal. There was a time when a person’s word meant something. ANY elected official who abandons ship should lose their pension and any other generous perks they receive (which their constituents have to pay for!). Anyone elected to an office should be decent enough, and man or woman enough, to keep their word and live up to their promises!! Too bad “tarring and feathering” has gone out of style!
The Founding Fathers never intended for “professional” politicians to run the country. Each one of the Founders had jobs/careers that they put on the line to serve the people of the United States. Today, our government is run by people who have little or no actual work experience so they have no idea how to serve their constituents. The Republican Party is no different from the demoncrat party. The problem with the GOP is it is run by republicans. It needs to be run by CONSERVATIVES. Just because a politician has an “R” by their name does not mean they are a conservative. A true conservative would be very difficult to corrupt, unlike a republican (i.e. Marjorie Taylor Green, Dan Crenshaw and too many other republicans). Only when the GOP because truly conservative will the “Republican Party” be saved from the same fate as the demoncrat party.
Federal employees have to work years in order to get federal retirement and no one retires rich. Unlike members of Congress. Stop the Congressional retirements after serving a few short years in Congress and retiring. I know of several members who are only out for themselves, not the people who voted for them. I’m all for term limits to limit the damage they can do to America.
Only two conditions are required to resolve the corruptness that exists in Congress/Senate. Strict campaign finance reform, and Term limits for all. Often promised by many when campaigning, never instituted after election.
I truly believe we need term limits. They wouldn’t then be working to line their wallets!
Isn’t AIPAC pushing her out of office by threatening to primary her because she’s not taking their $$$ and she’s not a dual citizen like the rest of congress. DJT going along with that doesn’t make me happy either. Is being a dual citizen taxation without representation? Or half representation? Or whose side are you on? I don’t like quitters so I’m not happy with her doing this & hope she finishes what she started.
Like they didn’t due to Comey and James and the DOJ had all the evidence and laid it out to the court. The writer of this must be one of the writers for Saturday Night Live because it’s NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. They can also cease writing about what they found out about Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Clinton and all the liberal far left democrats because one, we already know everything they have done because we lived it and two, not a single thing will be done to them in our legal system so please give this all a rest until something actually is done and they all start going to prison.