Influential House Republican Announces Retirement After Nearly a Decade of Service

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, a key member of the Republican leadership from Texas, announced that he will not seek reelection after his current term ends. The 53-year-old congressman, first elected in 2016, confirmed his decision in a statement reported by Fox News.

“I have a firm conviction, much like our founders did, that public service is a lifetime commitment, but public office is and should be a temporary stint in stewardship, not a career,” Arrington said.

BREAKING: House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington tells Fox News Digital he will not seek re-election in 2026, having served in Congress since 2017 pic.twitter.com/LXHxJVVLwI

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 11, 2025

Arrington, who has served nearly a decade in Congress, described his decision as the right time to conclude his public office tenure following what he called a “generational impact opportunity” — the passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” earlier this year.

“It was a very unique, generational impact opportunity, to be almost ten years into this and to have the budget chairmanship, and to lead the charge to successfully pass that and to help this president fulfill his mandate from the people,” Arrington said.

“It just seems like a good and right place to leave it.”

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During his time in office, Arrington prioritized elevating the concerns of rural Americans, which he cited as one of his proudest accomplishments.

“I’m from a rural district, and I can tell you, raising the profile among urban and suburban members as to the unique challenges of rural America and the unique contributions of rural America — like food security and energy independence and how much the nation depends on these plow boys and cowboys in rural areas — that’s another thing I’m proud of,” he said.

Arrington also praised President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson for continuing efforts to reduce the national debt, calling both men “committed” to fiscal responsibility.

“The president’s committed to it; he talks about it all the time. He’s actually doing something about it with very difficult decisions, not politically popular decisions. This is all about political will,” Arrington said.

“Trump’s doing it. Mike Johnson is committed to it … And we have a growing number of fiscal hawks who are absolutely dogged on this issue.”

Before leaving office, Arrington said he hopes to advance a budget reconciliation bill that complements President Trump’s legislative agenda.

“I don’t know where the Senate Republicans are. I don’t know where the president is and can’t speak for the White House. But the House is at the ready,” he said.

Arrington added that his next focus will be on family life and faith after years in Washington. “My next goal is quality time with my wife and kids and focusing on my leadership and service, not in the people’s house, but in my own house,” he said.

He concluded by expressing gratitude for his time in Congress. “I’m thankful that God called me and gave me the grace to succeed and to achieve the things that we’ve achieved,” Arrington said.

“Did I make my share of mistakes? You bet. Did I learn along the way? You bet I did. But we left [the country] better than we found it, and it gives me great satisfaction.”

#TX19 Rep. Jodey Arrington (R) will not seek re-election to a sixth term. We have a Great Mentioner for the upcoming race in his deep-red seat covering Lubbock, Abilene, and a swath of rural West Texas here: https://t.co/XRJLbnkFfw pic.twitter.com/a0WIkPMuOK

— RRH Elections (@RRHElections) November 11, 2025

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