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Longtime GOP Rep. Michael McCaul says he will not seek reelection to Congress | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 10:17 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Long‑time GOP Rep. Michael McCaul Announces Retirement from Congress

For more than two decades, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas’s 10th congressional district has been a stalwart voice on national‑security and intelligence matters in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, September 15, 2025, the 71‑year‑old Republican announced that he would not seek re‑election to the U.S. House of Representatives, thereby ending a tenure that began in 2005 and included chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee for nine years.

The announcement came in a brief statement released by McCaul’s office: “After 20 years of serving the people of Texas and the nation, I have decided it is time to step down from Congress.” The statement emphasized that McCaul’s decision was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family and to pursue opportunities outside of elected office. “I am proud of the work we’ve done on intelligence oversight, counterterrorism, and foreign policy,” the statement added. “I am grateful to my constituents and colleagues for the trust and support they have shown me.”

A Legacy of Intelligence Oversight

McCaul’s congressional career was marked by an unwavering focus on intelligence and national security. He first won election in 2004, defeating Democratic incumbent Michael C. Peters. Since then, he has served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House Committee on Homeland Security, and the House Committee on Appropriations. In 2011, he was elected chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), a post he held until 2020. During his tenure, he pushed for robust oversight of the CIA, NSA, and the Department of Defense, and was a vocal advocate for U.S. support to Ukraine and Israel. His leadership on the committee was credited with shaping the bipartisan “Intelligence Reform Act” of 2018, which aimed to modernize the intelligence community’s oversight framework.

McCaul’s work earned him recognition from both sides of the aisle. Former Democratic Rep. Jim Cochran of Tennessee said that McCaul had “always been a gentleman of integrity and a steadfast supporter of the nation’s security.” A former colleague on the Committee on Homeland Security recalled that McCaul “always brought data‑driven analysis to the table, no matter how politically sensitive the issue.”

Why the Retirement Matters

The 10th district is largely rural and suburban, encompassing the western part of the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex, parts of the Texas Panhandle, and the small cities of Wichita Falls and Amarillo. Historically, it has been a safe Republican seat, with McCaul winning each election by wide margins, most recently in 2022 with 68% of the vote. His decision opens the door for a new Republican candidate to run in the 2026 midterm cycle, though the party is expected to rally around a candidate who can maintain the district’s conservative profile while also appealing to the increasingly diverse demographic shifts.

The retirement also has broader implications for national security policy. McCaul’s successor will inherit a committee chairmanship that has become a linchpin for bipartisan intelligence oversight. With the current HPSCI chair, Rep. Jim Johnson (R‑Tennessee), set to serve out a single year before a new chair is elected, the period of transition may affect the pace of policy initiatives related to intelligence reform, counterterrorism measures, and foreign‑policy oversight. Critics argue that the committee’s current leadership might shift its focus toward emerging cyber threats, while proponents believe the committee will continue to champion robust oversight of U.S. intelligence agencies.

The Future Beyond Congress

In the same statement, McCaul hinted at plans to engage with the policy world outside of elected office. He said he would be exploring opportunities in think tanks and possibly in the private sector. The Republican National Committee praised his service and noted that he would remain “a key ally in advancing the country’s national‑security agenda.” While the statement did not specify a particular organization, former colleagues suggested that McCaul could join the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) or the Brookings Institution, both of which regularly consult former lawmakers on intelligence and foreign‑policy issues.

McCaul’s announcement also resonated with the ongoing debate about congressional retirements and the need for fresh perspectives. Several of his fellow Republicans have announced retirement plans in recent months, including Rep. Louie G. Garza of Texas’s 23rd district and Rep. Troy C. Heafley of Texas’s 28th district. Some analysts argue that a wave of retirements could open opportunities for younger candidates to enter the congressional landscape, potentially reshaping policy priorities in the House.

Acknowledgments and Gratitude

McCaul’s statement extended thanks to the staff who had served him over the years, as well as to the constituents of the 10th district who had trusted him to represent their interests. He thanked his wife, Ann, for her unwavering support, and his children, who he described as his “biggest source of inspiration.” The statement also noted his gratitude to former President Barack Obama for the opportunity to collaborate on bipartisan intelligence reforms, highlighting that their working relationship had fostered a climate of cooperation on national‑security issues.

The Road Ahead

As the 2025 election season unfolds, the Republican Party will begin to evaluate potential candidates for the 10th district. Some local leaders have already surfaced as possible contenders, including former state representative Dan Hernández and businesswoman Karen B. Miller. A primary election will ultimately determine the GOP nominee, who will face no significant opposition from the Democratic side, given the district’s partisan leanings.

In the meantime, McCaul’s final term will be marked by a focus on closing out key legislative initiatives, including the “National Intelligence Modernization Act,” which seeks to streamline intelligence data sharing across agencies. He will also oversee the transition of his staff to new roles within the House, ensuring that institutional knowledge is preserved.

Michael McCaul’s retirement marks the end of a notable chapter in Texas politics and in the nation’s intelligence oversight history. While the country will lose a seasoned legislator, his legacy—defined by a steadfast commitment to national security, bipartisan collaboration, and public service—will endure. The next chapter in the 10th district’s representation will determine whether the new generation of leaders can build on his foundation while addressing the evolving challenges of the 21st century.