U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, announced Monday that he will resign from Congress after the House votes on the current reconciliation package, ending his term early less than a year after winning re-election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Green, a former Army physician and state senator, cited an unnamed private sector opportunity as the reason for his departure.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress,” Green said in a statement. “Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up.”
Green had previously stated he would retire at the end of the last congressional term but reversed course in 2024 and re-entered the race. He won re-election in November, defeating former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry in a closely watched race.
He later said that encouragement from former President Donald Trump and supporters led him to stay in the race. Now, months into his new term, Green says his goals in Congress have been met.
“By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that,” he said.
Green currently serves as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. During his time in Congress, he was a vocal supporter of stricter border policies and led the push to impeach former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He also championed H.R. 2, a Republican-led border security bill that passed the House but has not advanced in the Senate.
Green’s tenure in Washington has been marked by alignment with the most conservative factions of the Republican Party. First elected in 2018, he previously served in the Tennessee State Senate and was nominated in 2017 by Trump to be Secretary of the Army, though he withdrew following criticism of past comments on LGBTQ+ rights and Islam.
Green did not name his new employer, and his statement did not include specific details about what role he would take or where he would be based. His announcement also did not mention the impact of his resignation on his district or any planned transition process.
Green’s resignation will trigger a special election in Tennessee’s 7th District, which includes parts of Montgomery, Williamson, and Davidson counties. The timeline for that election has not yet been announced.
