Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) speaks during a news conference in September in Washington, DC. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) won’t seek a waiver to retain his committee gavel, ending his six-year tenure as the panel’s top Republican. Why it matters: McCaul’s decision opens the door for new leadership on one of the House’s most influential committees during a critical time in global affairs, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising tensions with China.
• “Out of respect for [conference] rules and a desire to see future leaders rise from our conference, I have decided not to pursue another term as chairman,” McCaul told Axios in a statement.
• “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the chairman… I am beyond proud of everything we accomplished over the past six years,” he added.
• McCaul previously served as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.
State of play: McCaul played a key role in advancing several priorities during his term as Foreign Affairs chair, from a bipartisan effort on a TikTok ban (which is facing legal challenges) to Iran sanctions.
• “I look forward to passing the torch to a new chair who will continue to build on the committee’s rich legacy and work to project ‘peace through strength’ around the world,” he added.
What to watch: Four Republican committee members are vying for the gavel as the race heats up as of Friday afternoon. They are:
• Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), the current vice chair of the committee who previously served as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.
• Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a former chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
• Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Oversight
What they’re saying: “Mike was an incredible leader on the Foreign Affairs Committee and I am grateful to count him as a friend and mentor,” Wagner said.
• She praised their work to “advocate for President Trump’s America First agenda and hold Joe Biden’s State Department accountable.”
• She also credited him for being a “true champion of Israel.”
The intrigue: While McCaul won’t be leading the Foreign Affairs panel next Congress, members have speculated he could potentially run for Senate if Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) opts to retire.
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional comment.