Florida GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan retires after two decades in Congress
Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan (R) announced he will retire from Congress after 20 years, exiting the GOP-leaning 16th District along Florida’s Gulf Coast and signaling another open seat in a challenging midterm climate for Republicans. Buchanan, a long‑time Ways and Means member known for tax, trade and health policy, steps away as part of a wave of retirements; the live updates also note ongoing Capitol negotiations over DHS funding and the looming risk of a government shutdown as lawmakers spar over immigration enforcement provisions.
