Top GOP Congressman Is OUT!

Representative Ken Buck (R-CO), a Republican, announced his sudden retirement from Congress.

On Tuesday, Buck declared that he would step down from the House at the end of next week.

Buck wrote in a press release:

"It has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado's 4th District in Congress for the past 9 years.

"I want to thank them for their support and encouragement throughout the years.

"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."

Since November 2014, Buck has served as a member of the US House of Representatives.

He currently serves on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees of the House.

Additionally, Buck was one of three House Republicans who prevented Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, from being impeached.

The congressman announced in November that he would not seek reelection.

When asked earlier this month about why he decided not to run for reelection, Buck stated that he is not "going to lie" on behalf of the Republicans.

While Buck's goals for the nation remain the same, he acknowledged on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday" that "the world has changed dramatically" around him.

"We've gone from a time when the Tea Party stood for conservative principles, for constitutional principles, to a time where the [populists] have taken over the Republican Party and are advocating things that I believe are very dangerous," he told host Chris Stirewalt.

In response to a question about his decision to leave Congress, Buck mentioned a variety of factors that played a role.

"The MAGA crowd ran a primary against me last time. I won 75-25.

"I'm not worried about [a] primary, I'm not worried about losing a general election.

"You know, the timing is right," he continued.

"I'm at a point in my life where I want to do different things.

"I want to spend more time with my family, less business travel, and more recreational travel."

"There are a lot of factors that went into the decision," he said.

"But really, we're at a point in American politics where I am not going to lie on behalf of my presidential candidate, on behalf of my party," he added.

"And I'm very disappointed that others in my party have taken the stance that, as long as we win the White House, it doesn't matter what we say."

Buck has disagreed with some members of his party for endorsing Donald Trump.

When Buck was running for speaker of the House last fall, he withdrew his support from Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the judiciary committee.

He referenced Jordan's endorsement of Trump in connection with the baseless allegations made against the 45th president on January 6.

Trump praised Buck's decision to not seek a second term, calling it a "great thing" for the Republican Party.

However, Buck's sudden departure puts more pressure on the GOP majority.

There will be 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats among the 431 members.

The GOP can now only afford to lose two of its own votes on any given issue.