A record number of incumbent members of Congress have announced their intention to retire from politics entirely. According to Vandersteel, this wave of mass resignations in Congress can be attributed at least partially to the hard work of independent media outlets and programs like her own.
"Let's talk about who's dropping out, shall we? Because things are starting to change," said Vandersteel. "I think the demons, the cabal, the RICO crime institute known as our federal government, also known as the domestic terrorists in this country, recognize that there is a real problem, that they are being exposed because of shows like this and others, that you're looking at record numbers of incumbents retiring from public office."
The notable members of Congress who are giving up on politics include several senators, such as Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rob Portman of Ohio, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.
In the House of Representatives, Vandersteel took notice of the retirement announcements of Reps. Jackie Speier of California, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Michael Doyle of Pennsylvania, David Price of North Carolina and John Yarmuth of Kentucky.
"These are all folks who are saying, 'You know what? Calling it quits from public office. Going to walk away,'" said Vandersteel. "Probably because … there's a big dumpster fire on the Hill, it's burning down and they know it and they don't want to get caught in the fire."
Democratic retirements make Republican takeover of Congress more likely
As of Nov. 18, 26 members of the House have declared their intention to not seek re-election to their seats. Of those, 16 are Democrats and 10 are Republicans.
Of the Democrats, 10 have declared their intention to retire from politics entirely. Three are seeking seats in the Senate, one is running for governor and two others are running for other offices. (Related: Prediction: 2021 election results mean GOP could 'comfortably take back' House and Senate in 2022.)
In comparison, just 10 Republicans have announced their intention to not seek re-election – four will retire from politics, another four will seek a seat in the Senate and one each to run for governor or another office.
The latest Democrat to announce that he would not be seeking re-election is Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who has served as the representative for North Carolina's first congressional district since 2004.
The massive number of Democratic incumbents announcing their retirement, uncertainty about redistricting and President Joe Biden's sagging approval ratings add to the many other concerns the party has about maintaining its very slim majority in the House and the Senate. This is the most fragile majority the Democrats have had in the House in eight decades.
The leaders of the Republican Party are very confident that they will win back their majorities in both houses of Congress.
"We're going to take back the Senate, absolutely," said National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. "We're going to do unbelievably in 2022 because we have the right message."
The former governor of Florida pointed out that the party's achievements in this year's elections – particularly in Virginia, as well as the massive ground it gained in solidly blue New Jersey – were historic. The gubernatorial election in Virginia is being read by the GOP as a key barometer ahead of next year's midterms.
Longtime Senate Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said: "The fall of '22 is likely to be a very good election for Republicans… I think the wind is going to be at our back in both the House and Senate."
"In a cycle like this, no Democrat is safe," said National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
"If you're a Democrat and President Biden won your seat by 16 points, you're in a competitive race next year," said House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California, emphasizing that the party can take even supposedly safe seats. "You are no longer safe."
Watch the entirety of the Nov. 17 episode of "Steel Truth" with Ann Vandersteel below. She brings on multiple guests on this episode, including John Mills, Tracy Ellis, Chris Burgard, Nick Searcy and Drs. Mark and Michele Sheerwood.
"Steel Truth" with Ann Vandersteel airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.
Learn more about the collapse of the Democratic Party by reading the latest articles at JusticeDemocrats.news.
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