Rep. Vern Buchanan, a senior Republican on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, announced his retirement Tuesday after nearly two decades in Congress.
The Florida Republican is the latest of 48 incumbent members of the House, including more than two dozen Republicans, to forgo seeking reelection this year.
His announcement comes less than three months after President Trump endorsed Mr. Buchanan for reelection to his 10th term in office.
As his party braces for a challenging midterm — Republicans are trying to hold onto their narrow House majority — Mr. Buchanan, 74, said this is “the right time to pass the torch.”
“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the honor of my lifetime,” he said in a statement. “Every achievement worth doing began with listening to my constituents and fighting for their priorities. I came to Congress to solve problems, to fight for working families, and to help ensure this country remains a place where opportunity is available to everyone willing to work for it.”
Mr. Buchanan, who has served in the House since 2007, will leave his red district with the title of the longest-serving Republican to represent southwest Florida in the House. He is the second-highest-ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee.
Two other Florida Republicans also have announced their congressional departures: Reps. Neal Dunn and Byron Donalds.
In his tenure, Mr. Buchanan became a key player on tax and health care policy.
He will also be handing over the reins for an influential tax-writing position.
Having served on the House Ways and Means Committee since shortly after he was first elected to office, his post put him in a powerful seat to write tax laws. He was also tapped to lead the tax subcommittee and joined the Joint Committee on Taxation, where he helped craft the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Mr. Buchanan serves as chair of the health subcommittee, which considers legislation on Medicare and prescription drugs — both of which are staples to Democratic and Republican campaign rhetoric.
