![]() ![]() ![]() That disparity, along with Biden’s diminished popularity in polling, are among several indicators that Democrats face an uphill fight to retain their majority in the chamber. So far 26 House Democrats have said they are retiring after this year. Katko became the 13th House Republican to announce he’s not seeking reelection in 2022. Katko also drew the ire of Trump and conservatives by being among 13 House Republicans to vote for President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which became law in November. The measure died in the Senate, where it was blocked by Republicans. The House approved the bill 252-175, with the support of 35 Republicans. He said “the American people and the Capitol Police deserve answers, and action as soon as possible to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.” “This is about facts - it’s not partisan politics,” said the former federal prosecutor as the House debated the legislation. He said the commission would give Democrats too much power. But McCarthy - who initially said Trump “bears responsibility” for the attack, only to resume being a staunch Trump ally - abruptly came out against Katko’s agreement. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., had enlisted Katko to negotiate that deal with Democrats. Katko said at the time that he was backing impeachment because failing to hold Trump responsible for encouraging the attack would be “a direct threat to the future of our democracy.”įurther defying the former president, Katko wrote compromise legislation last May with Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., to create a 10-member bipartisan commission to investigate that attack. 6, 2021, as lawmakers were certifying his presidential reelection defeat. There was sharp GOP backlash against all 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over his role in inciting supporters who violently stormed the Capitol on Jan. While his statement made no reference to Trump, he also said, “My conscience, principles, and commitment to do what’s right have guided every decision I’ve made as a Member of Congress, and they guide my decision today.” Now serving his fourth House term, Katko released a statement saying it was time to “enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way.” He said his parents and his wife’s parents had all died in the past three years, adding, “To say that those gut-wrenching times provided life-changing perspective for me is putting it mildly.” ![]() Lawmakers seldom step aside with such opportunities looming.īut his decision comes as Trump has remained a dominant force in the GOP, retaining the fealty of many lawmakers and threatening to use party primaries to depose those who cross him. The upstate New Yorker, 59, was in line to become chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee if, as seems likely, Republicans win control of the chamber in November’s elections. John Katko, a respected Republican moderate whose congressional career seemed on the ascent, announced his retirement Friday, the third of the 10 House GOP lawmakers who voted to impeach President Donald Trump last January to say they won’t seek reelection. ![]()
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