Mike Johnson's red alert on members quitting Congress

"Both parties feel confident that their most endangered incumbents will stick around and help their side fight for the gavel. But morale is low across the chamber, and some members are questioning whether the job is still worth it. The legislative grind has been overshadowed by censure wars, rising security fears and loyalty tests to former President Trump. House lawmakers have only spent a handful of days in Washington since July."

"Like its BLS counterpart, a high reading for one party doesn't predict a House flip any more than a bad JOLTS number calls a recession. But it's not a great sign for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who needs to worry that early GOP retirements could strip him of his gavel this year. The record number of exits also guarantees that the next Congress will look considerably different than the current one, forcing leaders of both parties to contend with fresh faces and new challenges."

Forty-four House lawmakers have announced departures or retirements, a record rate that will significantly change the chamber's composition. Early GOP exits risk undermining Speaker Mike Johnson's position and could affect leadership control. Historical comparisons show prior spikes in retirements before party takeovers in 2018 and 2022. Most departures are not from vulnerable seats; only a couple of endangered incumbents have left. GOP leaders have persuaded several battleground members to remain, and both parties expect their endangered incumbents to contest leadership control. Low morale, security concerns, censure disputes, and loyalty tests to former President Trump have reduced lawmakers' time in Washington.

Read at Axios