Tax Policy and House Ways and Means

An unprecedented early wave of House retirements has grown to more than 10% of seats as Rep. Vern Buchanan announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, becoming the 28th House Republican to step down. The 20-year Florida incumbent — vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and chair of its Health Subcommittee — is expected to help shape a second GOP reconciliation package before leaving; Cook Political Report rates his southwest Florida seat as solidly Republican, so his exit is unlikely to flip the district but removes an experienced GOP tax writer as Republicans fight to hold a razor-thin majority.