In a surprise move, Republican congressman Mike Gallagher has announced that he will resign from his seat in Congress on April 19, 2024. This decision comes after Gallagher had previously declared that he would not seek re-election. With his early departure, the Republican Party's already slim control of the House has been further diminished, reducing their majority to just one seat.

Currently, the Republicans hold 217 seats, while the Democrats hold 213 seats. This means that the GOP can only afford to lose one member on votes where all Democrats oppose. Gallagher's resignation brings the GOP's numbers perilously close to losing their majority on critical votes.

Gallagher stated that his resignation was a result of conversations with his family, and he emphasized that his office will continue to operate and provide constituent services until the end of his term. He also mentioned collaborating closely with House Republican leadership to establish this timeline for his departure.

While Gallagher's resignation adds to the challenges faced by Republicans, House speaker Mike Johnson managed to navigate through a potentially damaging situation. The House successfully passed legislation to prevent a partial government shutdown, but notably, the bill received more support from Democrats than Republicans. This has raised concerns among some conservatives, including right-wing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who subsequently introduced a motion to remove Johnson from the speaker's chair. Greene cited concerns about Johnson's approach to government spending and collaboration with Democrats. However, she did not indicate when she would bring the motion up for a vote.

The government funding saga is far from over, as the Senate now needs to approve the bill that the House passed earlier. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has invoked cloture on the measure, allowing a vote to occur on Sunday. However, if the bill is not passed and signed into law by midnight, a partial government shutdown would take effect. Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to avoid any unnecessary delays and disruptions.

In the midst of these political developments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre offered well wishes to the Duchess of Cambridge, following her announcement of a cancer diagnosis. Jean-Pierre expressed sympathy for the royal family and wished the Duchess a full recovery.

The departure of Congressman Gallagher and the uncertainty surrounding government funding raise questions about the shifting dynamics in the House, with some Democrats signaling a reluctance to participate in moves against Speaker Johnson. As House lawmakers head out for a two-week recess, the saga is likely to continue upon their return, as events unfold in the realm of US politics.