Lawmaker Announces Sudden Departure from Congress

Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado made an unexpected announcement on Tuesday, revealing his impending resignation from Congress without providing a reason.

The sudden decision to step down comes after Buck had previously declared that he wouldn't seek re-election at the conclusion of his current term.

In a brief statement shared on the social media platform X, Buck expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Colorado's 4th District in Congress for the past nine years. He thanked his constituents for their support and encouragement over the years and disclosed his intention to depart from Congress at the end of the following week.

"Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week. I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family," wrote Buck, who is 65 years old.

Buck had surprised many last November when he announced his decision not to seek a sixth term representing Colorado's 4th Congressional District. Several candidates, including current Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert from the state's 3rd Congressional District, are already vying to replace him.

In a statement issued late last year regarding his departure from Congress, Buck criticized the system as broken and aired grievances against his fellow Republicans. While expressing gratitude to his constituents for their support in combating the left, he indicated that he no longer felt suitable for the job. Buck specifically criticized fellow Republicans for questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election and denounced complaints about the alleged "weaponization" of the Justice Department concerning the Capitol incursion on January 6, 2021, as "insidious."

He emphasized the importance of moving past perceived injustices and accused the Republican Party of disregarding fundamental truths about the rule of law and limited government.

As Buck prepares to leave office, House Republicans face a reduced majority, with only 218 seats compared to the Democrats' 213, according to NBC News. Buck's departure follows the expulsion of former congressman George Stantos of New York, and the resignations of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio just weeks into 2024.