Headline RoundupFebruary 17th, 2022

30 House Democrats Have Announced Their Retirement

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice (N.Y.) announced her retirement this week, becoming the 30th House Democrat to retire ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. 

This marks the most Democratic retirements since 1992, when 41 retired. The exodus comes as Democrats face the historical trend of the president's party losing congressional seats in midterm elections. By comparison, only 13 Republicans have announced their retirement, which would be the party's lowest total since 1988 if no others depart.

Coverage across the spectrum framed Rice's retirement as a bad sign for Democrats' chances in the midterms and as good news for Republicans. One source interviewed by CNN attributed the string of Democratic retirements to "a combination of January 6th, a lack of civility, plus a frustration with a fact that most legislation is leadership driven instead of member driven."

Featured Coverage of this Story

More headline roundups

AllSides Picks

More News about Politics from the Left, Center and Right

From the Left

From the Center

From the Right