Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) described the current congressional term as “the worst year” in his nearly decadelong tenure following his announcement to make an early exit next week, leaving his seat vacant and further shrinking the House Republican majority. 

“It is the worst year of the nine years and three months that I’ve been in Congress. And having talked to former members, it’s the worst year in 40, 50 years to be in Congress,” Buck told CNN on Tuesday when Dana Bash asked about how bleak being on the inside is.

“But I’m leaving because I think there’s a job to do out there that I want to go do.”

Buck said that in Colorado, he hears dissatisfaction with former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden and that a change is needed in the nation’s electoral laws. 

“I have a passion for that. And I’m going to leave, and I’m going to find the right organization to join, and I’m going to start working on that issue,” Buck said. “We have to have better candidates up and down the ballot, not just president, but Senate, House, local offices. We’ve got to find better ways to elect candidates and bring America together.”

Buck, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, announced in November that he would not seek reelection in 2024. Buck’s early departure means a special election will be held to fill the remainder of his term representing Colorado’s 4th District.

After Buck’s resignation, House Republicans will hold 218 members to the Democratic minority’s 213. California’s special primary election to fill former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s seat will be held next week.

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Former Ohio Republican Rep. Bill Johnson resigned in January to become Youngstown State University’s new president. Ohio’s special election will also be held next week.

The expulsion of former New York Republican Rep. George Santos also reduced the House’s majority. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) won New York’s special election last month.