Politics

Charlie Dent After Retirement Announcement: Trump Administration Took The ‘Fun Out Of Dysfunction’

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Tuesday Group Chairman Charlie Dent announced he won’t seek re-election in 2018 Thursday, telling reporters the dysfunction in Washington has made it difficult for Congress to complete basic acts of governance.

The Pennsylvania Republican said he’s been considering leaving Congress since the government shutdown in 2013, and made his decision after discussing the matter with his family over the summer. Dent said there has always been some level of disorder at the White House, but believes it’s been amplified since President Donald Trump took office.

“Well, I’ve always said down the street there’s been a fair amount of instability, uncertainty and dysfunction — and you know I always come to accept a certain amount of dysfunction in government,” he told reporters after his announcement. “But I guess they’ve taken it to a new level — they’ve taken the fun out of dysfunction.”

Dent, one of the most prominent moderate Republican voices in the House, noted carrying out their responsibilities — including passing legislation to keep the government open and raising the debt ceiling — has become “more difficult and exhausting than it ought to be.”

“Things are much more polarized now than they’ve ever been — I suspect in parts because of a political realignment that’s happening right under our feet, I suspect things will get a little worse before they get better,” he continued.  “Because this realignment is occurring and no one knows how it will sort itself out — it’s going to affect both political parties and we are where we are.”

ThePennsylvaniaa moderate acknowledged his seat will likely be a hotly contested race as it’s a marginal swing district that leans right. T

“All things being equal a Republican should win, but this will be a challenging mid-term election for our party just for historical reasons, and we’re the party the present,” he said. “We have total control of the government, so I suspect that 2018 could be analogous to 1994 or 2006 or 2010 — I think it could be one of those types of years.

He plans to remain in his role as chairman of the House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON-VA) Subcommittee, telling reporters he would like to accomplish substantial Veteran Affairs reforms before leaving office.

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