Patrick McHenry, who served as temporary speaker, plans to retire from the House
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who served as House speaker pro tempore during a leadership fight this fall, announced Tuesday that he will not seek election in 2024.
“I will retire from Congress at the end of my current term. “This is not a decision I make lightly, but I believe there is a season for everything and, for me, this season has come to an end,” McHenry said in a statement.
McHenry, a lawmaker with a penchant for bow ties, has served in the House since 2005. He rose through the ranks and become the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
Viewed as a close ally of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), McHenry helped Lead debt ceiling talks. at the beginning of this year.
After the House voted to oust McCarthy from the presidency in early October, McHenry was tapped to take on the role of pro tempore speaker.
During the few weeks it took the House to elect Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to replace McCarthy, members considered, but ultimately rejected, empowering McHenry to do more than simply chair the debate and vote for a speaker from full time. But McHenry directed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to vacate its hidden offices in the United States Capitol.
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McHenry is now one of more than a couple dozen House members who have announced that they will not seek another two-year term in the new year’s elections. Another legislator considering leaving the House It’s McCarthy..
In his statement Tuesday, McHenry thanked his staff, constituents and family for their support. He also expressed pride in his work as a congressman and expressed optimism when speaking about the future of the House.
“There has been much lamentation and ink spilled about the future of this institution because some, like me, have decided to leave. Those concerns are overblown,” McHenry said.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in twenty years,” he added. “I really feel like this institution is on the verge of the next big turn. Whether it was 1974, 1994 or 2010, we have seen the Chamber evolve over time. Evolutions tend to be irregular and disjointed, but at each stage new leaders emerge. Many intelligent and capable members remain, and others are on the way. “I am confident that the House is in good hands.”
