In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through Washington, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) announced on Tuesday that he will be resigning from Congress at the end of next week. Buck, who had previously stated that he would not seek re-election, cited his desire to spend more time in Colorado with his family and to remain involved in the political process.

The departure of Buck will have significant consequences for the Republican party, as it further reduces their already narrow majority in the House. With his resignation, the House Republican margin will shrink to 218-213, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) with just two votes to spare before needing Democratic support to govern.

Speaker Johnson expressed his surprise at Buck's decision, stating that he looks forward to discussing it with him. Other GOP colleagues were also taken aback, with Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) describing the news as "very surprising, very disturbing, very alarming, very concerning."

Buck, who is a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, gained prominence in Washington for frequently breaking ranks with his party on key issues. He openly criticized fellow Republicans for perpetuating former President Donald Trump's false claims about the 2020 election being stolen. He also expressed doubts about the existence of evidence against President Joe Biden for any impeachable offenses. Additionally, Buck faced numerous death threats from conservatives after refusing to support Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a close ally of Trump's, for the position of Speaker last October.

Most recently, Buck once again defied his party by being one of three Republicans who voted against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

While Buck's decision to resign may come as a blow to the GOP, it remains to be seen how his departure will impact the party's future decisions and strategies. With an already slim majority, Speaker Johnson now faces the challenge of navigating potential illnesses and unexpected absences that could make his job even more difficult in the months ahead.

As Buck prepares to bid farewell to Congress, the political landscape in Colorado and the overall dynamics within the Republican party are sure to undergo further shifts and adjustments.