In 2017, several lawmakers announced their intent to not seek re-election in 2018, which will prompt a restructuring of powerful committees in the House and Senate. 

In October 2017, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) announced he will not run for re-election, leaving his gavel up for grabs.  Committee Vice Chairman, Representative Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) is a top candidate to be Representative Hensarling’s successor, but McHenry may pass on the position to pursue a higher-ranking position within House leadership.  If McHenry pursues other options in the House, Representative Ed Royce (R-Orange), the third most senior Republican on the Committee, is considered a contender to assume the chair after Hensarling’s departure.  If this scenario were to unfold, there be would a vacancy in the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which Representative Royce currently holds.

Earlier this week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) announced that he will not seek re-election in 2018, and Representative Jeff Denham (R-Stanislaus) is on the shortlist of candidates to succeed Representative Shuster as Chairman or Ranking Member of the Committee.  Representative Denham is the current chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, and is a close ally of Representative Shusters.

As of now, more than 40 members of Congress will not seek re-election in 2018.  This exodus will reshape the power structure of the federal legislative branch, allowing new members to play an influential role in the policymaking process.  In addition, the growing list of retiring Republican incumbents will leave the GOP’s majority vulnerable in an election cycle.