Another Republican lawmaker has announced his plans to retire ahead of the 2018 mid term elections. According to The Hill the former chairman of the powerful House Oversight Committee Darrell Issa announced that he will not seek re-election. His decision is another blow to the Republicans who risk losing their congressional majority in 2018.
Issa pointed out some of his accomplishes during his 18 years in Congress:
Together, we put an end to abusive Congressional earmarks, strengthened the Violence Against Women Act, empowered better oversight of the executive branch, and cleared the course for better intellectual property protections to stop the piracy of American ingenuity.
Darrell Issa represents parts of San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties, and that district has been slowly shifting toward Democrats. Issa barely won re-election in 2016, securing victory by half of a percentage point, while Hillary Clinton topped Donald Trump by seven points in the 49th District.
Issa is the second California congressman to announce his retirement this week. On Monday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said he will not seek re-election in 2018.
The Democrats need to 24 seats in the House of Representatives to gain the majority. Historically, the party in control of the presidency loses seats in Congress following the mid term elections.
Here is Issa's full statement:
Two decades ago, when I stepped away from the business I'd built to enter public service, I never could have imagined that a long-shot bid for U.S. Senate would lead to 18 years in the House of Representatives and endless opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
From the first successful recall of a sitting Governor in California history, to establishing new and stronger standards for government accountability, to protecting the Internet from harmful regulation, and enacting the nation's first open data standards, we attempted and achieved much in the service of our nation.
Together, we put an end to abusive Congressional earmarks, strengthened the Violence Against Women Act, empowered better oversight of the executive branch, and cleared the course for better intellectual property protections to stop the piracy of American ingenuity.
Throughout my service, I worked hard and never lost sight of the people our government is supposed to serve. Yet with the support of my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in California's 49th District.
I am forever grateful to the people of San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties for their support and affording me the honor of serving them all these years. Most humbling for me -- and for anyone who represents this area -- has been the special privilege of representing the Marines and Sailors of Camp Pendleton and their families. On countless occasions, and in every corner of the world I met them, I was inspired by their bravery and humbled by their sacrifice to keep us all safe from harm.
Representing you has been the privilege of a lifetime.
While my service to California's 49th District will be coming to an end, I will continue advocating on behalf of the causes that are most important to me, advancing public policy where I believe I can make a true and lasting difference, and continuing the fight to make our incredible nation an even better place to call home.
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