Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.,  announced Tuesday he will be leaving Congress at the end of next week. Buck had previously announced he would not be seeking reelection.

Buck said in a statement: “Today I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week. I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family … It has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress for the past 9 years. I want to thank them for their support and encouragement through the years.”

Buck frequently defied his own party, and his departure will further narrow the House Republicans majority to a margin of 218-213. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will continue to have two votes to spare before needing Democrats to govern, but unexpected absences by his party could make his his role challenging.

Fellow GOP colleagues seemed shocked by Buck’s announcement: Speaker Johnson said to reporters after Buck’s statement was revealed: “I was surprised by Ken’s announcement. I’m looking forward to talking with him about that,” while Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas said of the news: “very surprising, very disturbing, very alarming, very concerning.”

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