McCaul Announces Retirement, Won’t Seek Re-election in 2026

Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas said Sunday he will not seek re-election when his term ends in January 2027, concluding more than two decades in Congress.

The veteran Republican, a leading voice on national security and foreign policy, made his announcement on ABC’s “This Week,” underscoring his desire to pursue new challenges in the same policy arenas as he leaves the House.

Nut Graf

McCaul’s departure marks the loss of one of the GOP’s most experienced foreign-affairs hawks. As former chair of both the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs committees, he played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. counterterrorism measures and championing military support for Ukraine and Israel.

Career Highlights

• Chaired the House Homeland Security Committee (2013-2019) and Foreign Affairs Committee (2023-2025), leading investigations into the Boston Marathon bombing and authoring the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018.
• Served as a principal advocate for robust U.S. assistance to Ukraine amid Russian aggression and for strengthened alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

Announcement and Rationale

McCaul, 63, emphasized that his father’s World War II service inspired his public-service career. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to represent central Texas,” he said, adding that he is “ready for a new challenge in 2027” within national security and foreign policy.

Warning on Escalating Tensions

In the same interview, McCaul cautioned against the risk of broader conflict following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. “We’ve never seen anything like this in recent times,” he warned, urging NATO and U.S. leaders to tread carefully to avoid the “precipice of a World War III”.

Next Steps

McCaul will complete his current term, which runs through January 2027. With his exit, at least 10 other House members are also retiring or stepping down, reflecting a broader trend of turnover in Congress as midterm elections approach.