House loses key Israel ally as Rep. Troy Nehls announces exit

Throughout the Gaza war, he opposed every attempt to restrict or condition U.S. support for Israel and in May 2024 he backed the Israel Security Assistance Support Act.

By Aaron Sull, Jewish Breaking News

Rep. Troy Nehls, one of the GOP’s strongest defenders after October 7, has announced that he will step down at the end of his term.

In a social media post Saturday, the Texas congressman explained that he decided to retire to focus on family after reflecting with his wife and daughters during the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans. President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first,” he wrote.

“Serving this country in the military, serving our community in law enforcement, and serving this district in Congress has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers.”

Nehls has represented Texas’s 22nd District since 2021 and quickly became one of the House GOP’s most reliable pro-Israel votes.

During his first year in office, he cosponsored the Israel Relations Normalization Act to strengthen the Abraham Accords and cosponsored a House resolution affirming Israel’s right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre.

Throughout the Gaza war, he opposed every attempt to restrict or condition U.S. support for Israel and in May 2024 he backed the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which ordered the administration to deliver weapons without delay.

He also voted last April to condemn Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile barrage against Israel and supported the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act earlier that spring.

Nehls has long aligned himself with Trump’s agenda, pushing symbolic legislation to place Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill and rename Washington Dulles International Airport after the former president.

His retirement adds to a widening list of departures ahead of 2026. According to The Hill, 47 lawmakers—including 27 Republicans—have decided not to seek reelection.

Notably, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she would leave Congress in January following a public rupture with Trump over Gaza, health care subsidies, and the handling of the Epstein Files.

Texas Rep. Jodey Arrington, the lead author of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has also announced he will not run again, while Reps. Elise Stefanik, Nancy Mace, and Andy Biggs are abandoning congressional reelection bids to pursue governor seats.

The upper chamber is shifting as well, with Senators Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, and Thom Tillis all confirming they do not intend to seek another term.