U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R), the House Budget Committee Chairman, has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of a ten-year congressional career defined by fiscal conservatism and leadership on key Republican initiatives.
"I have a firm conviction, much like our founders did, that public service is a lifetime commitment, but public office is and should be a temporary stint in stewardship, not a career," said Arrington in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Arrington said he felt it was the right moment to step aside after helping craft President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," a sweeping legislative package combining tax reform, spending cuts, and energy policy rollbacks.
In an earlier Texas Politics interview, Arrington had voiced concerns over Senate changes to the "One Big Beautiful Bill," warning they could jeopardize its passage in the House. Despite those challenges, he said he remained proud to have helped advance Trump's domestic agenda and to "reverse the curse" of public debt.
He reflected on his tenure, highlighting efforts to elevate rural America's role in national policy and to promote fiscal responsibility.
"Raising the profile among urban and suburban members as to the unique challenges of rural America, like food security and energy independence, that's something I'm proud of," said Arrington.
As he prepares to leave Congress, Arrington said he looks forward to spending more time with his family while continuing to seek ways to serve and lead outside of elected office. Arrington's District, Congressional District 19, is strongly conservative and is expected to elect a new Republican representative in the 2026 election.
