3 ways

Devin Nunes' shock move to leave Congress at the end of this month will have widespread ripple effects. Here's 3 ways it'll shake things up. 

The California Republican is the biggest GOP exit so far this cycle. 

Anthony Adragna

What happened: Rep. Devin Nunes' (R-Calif.) surprise decision to leave Congress to run former President Donald Trump's new social media company stunned Capitol Hill on Monday. Here's three ways the California Republican's decision will have far greater impacts beyond his Central Valley district.

• What serving in Congress means in 2021: Part of the challenge in understanding the move comes from the fact two things are true at the same time. It's stunning that anyone in line to possibly lead the Ways and Means Committee would bail from Congress (GOP odds look good and that's a slot many members wait their entire careers for). At the same time, California mapmakers could make his district far more Democratic, creating a far more competitive seat. Still, it shows an increasing willingness to bolt for the private sector rather than suffer the gridlock and grind of Congress.
• These moves are annoying and costly: Leaving in the middle of one's term like this will almost surely kick off a special election sometime next year. Those are expensive affairs to taxpayers that are also low-turnout. Plus, the special election would be for the existing district lines. The winner (still heavily favored to be a Republican) would then face a far different electorate in next November's midterms.
• Major committee shakeups: His departure will open up the jockeying for the top GOP spot on the Ways and Means Committee, a powerful perch. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) is next in line but may have to beat back challenges from more junior colleagues (Buchanan confirmed he's running this morning). Current ranking member Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) is already retiring, so this marks a real changing of the guard there. It'll also usher in a transition at the Intelligence Committee, where Nunes is currently the ranking member.