Republican Mark Green Declares He Will Step Down from Congress This Summer After Securing Key Border Security Legislation in Washington

Politics in Washington can always surprise us, but this week brought a particularly unexpected announcement.

Rep. Mark Green, a key Republican voice from Tennessee and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, revealed he’ll be stepping away from Congress before his current term officially ends.

This news has caught many off guard, especially since Green had previously planned to stay.

A Sudden Turn After Earlier Retirement Plans

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Green announced he’d retire.

Back in 2024, he declared he would step down but reversed course after strong encouragement from former President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders to remain in office.

Now, less than a year later, he’s firm on leaving, citing a private sector opportunity that was simply too good to pass up.

Speaking to reporters, Green shared, “Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up.

I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package.”

This means he’s sticking around just long enough to help push through critical legislation — a move that will be a big help to Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump, and the GOP given their razor-thin majority in the House.

Reflecting on His Time in Congress and Next Steps

In a heartfelt statement, Green called his time in Congress “an honor of a lifetime,” proudly mentioning his role overseeing important border security initiatives as Homeland Security chair.

He also addressed the earlier retirement reversal, saying, “Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress.”

Now, after the upcoming vote on the reconciliation bill, Green says he’ll retire for good, triggering a special election in Tennessee to find his successor.

Controversies Clouding His Final Months in Office

Green’s decision comes amid some public personal drama.

Last year, his former wife, Camie Green, accused him of having an affair with a younger woman, which contributed to their separation in September 2024.

The allegations sparked a lot of attention, including Camie sharing messages online criticizing her ex and warning others about “predators” in politics.

Green responded at the time by asking for privacy and reaffirming his commitment to serve his district, stating, “This is a difficult time for my family and me, and we are currently going through divorce proceedings.

I will continue to serve this district with all I’ve got.”

What’s Next for Mark Green and Tennessee’s 7th District?

With Green’s exit officially pending after the reconciliation vote, Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District will soon see a special election to replace him.

As for Green himself, it appears he’s ready to move on to new challenges outside of politics, closing a significant chapter in his public service career.

His office has yet to provide further comment following the announcement.