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Nearly two dozen House Democrats defied their party leaders' wishes Tuesday to vote in favor of rebuking a progressive lawmaker for what critics called an unfair move to tip the scales in his district's next election.
The House voted to pass a resolution of disapproval against Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, a measure that was led by one of his fellow Democrats — moderate Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.
It passed in a 236 to 183 vote, with 23 Democrats voting with the GOP to rebuke García. Four lawmakers voted "present" — Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., and Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio.
The Democrats who voted with Republicans include Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., Sharice Davids, D-Kan., Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., Angie Craig, D-Minn., Kathy Castor, D-Fla., Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Perez.
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Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García speaks during a press conference in Washington on Sept. 16, 2025. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Democrats' bid to kill the measure failed on Monday night, with Perez and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, voting with Republicans to proceed with the vote.
Perez laid out her case during debate on the measure shortly thereafter.
"I like Chuy García. I think his reasons for retiring are noble. We are not here to adjudicate the character of Chuy García. I'm asking the body to consider a set of facts laid before us tonight about how he chose his successor and deprived Americans the right to choose their elected representative," she said.
"One week before the filing deadline, Congressman Chuy García filed for re-election and submitted the necessary signatures for that petition. But three days before the filing deadline, he also began collecting signatures for his chief of staff, who shares his last name. Just hours before the filing deadline, Representative García's chief of staff submitted the paperwork to run with at least 2,500 signatures attached to it, and Chuy García's signature was the very first one listed in the petition."
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark speaks during a press conference with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar as the government shutdown continues in Washington, Oct. 1, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
During his own comments, García suggested his wife's recent multiple sclerosis diagnosis was part of his decision to withdraw, while disputing other accusations against himself.
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"I filed to run for Congress because this work is more important than ever, and I wanted to deliver for my community and to be part, hopefully, of a new House majority next year. I followed the rules of Illinois and its election law … And contrary to claims that were made earlier today, I did not circulate any petitions that I was accused of circulating. I only circulated when I filed on the first day," García said.
"But as I looked ahead, I had to be honest about what the next term would demand and what my family needed. I saw the big picture — supporting my wife as we managed her illness, taking better care of my own health and being present for the grandson that we just adopted two weeks ago. It was a tough decision, but I made that choice."
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dems-defy-jeffries-vote-rebuke-progressive-over-controversial-election-move