GOP Rep. Shuster won't seek reelection

Rep. Bill ShusterWilliam (Bill) Franklin ShusterThe Hill Interview: Missouri Republican has gavel on his radar For Trump, GOP tax bill could have big downside GOP chairman fundraising for conservative House member MORE (R-Pa.) will not seek reelection this year, becoming the fourth term-limited House Republican committee chairman to call it quits.

Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told the Washington Examiner in an interview published on Tuesday that he wants to focus on working with President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for ‘serious case of amnesia’ after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I don’t want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MORE to pass an infrastructure bill this year and then retire. 

“I thought it was the best decision for me to focus 100 percent on my final year as the chairman of the Transportation Committee, working with the president and other Democrats and Republicans to pass an infrastructure bill, which is much needed to rebuild America,” Shuster said.

House GOP conference rules limit chairmen to serving three consecutive two-year terms, meaning Shuster would have to relinquish the post he has held since 2013 after the end of this year. 

Three other House committee chairmen facing the same term limits as Shuster have said they will not seek reelection this year: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob GoodlatteRobert (Bob) William GoodlatteRosenstein to testify before House Judiciary Committee next week Conservative pressure on Sessions grows Clock ticking down on NSA surveillance powers MORE (R-Va.), House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb HensarlingThomas (Jeb) Jeb HensarlingRyan pledges 'entitlement reform' in 2018 Consumers need a hero, not a hack, to head the CFPB Right scrambles GOP budget strategy MORE (R-Texas) and House Science Committee Chairman Lamar SmithLamar Seeligson SmithOvernight Cybersecurity: Panel pushes agencies on dropping Kaspersky software | NC county won't pay ransom to hackers | Lawmakers sound alarm over ISIS 'cyber caliphate' The Hill Interview: GOP chairman says ‘red flags’ surround Russian cyber firm Seven Texas lawmakers leaving Congress means a younger, more diverse delegation MORE (R-Texas).

Ex-Rep. Jason ChaffetzJason ChaffetzDem demands documents from TSA after scathing security report Chaffetz replacement sworn in as House member Democrats expand House map after election victories MORE (R-Utah) also stepped down last year to take a position at Fox News, although he could have kept serving as House Oversight Committee chairman through 2020 under the term limit rules. 

Shuster told the Washington Examiner that he has been working with the Trump administration for months on an infrastructure plan, noting that he recently met with the president at the White House.

“He's very excited. He seems to be ready to go, as we are, and so I think we're going to have a good working relationship as we move forward,” Shuster said. 

“This is a president who really understands how to build things, how to finance things, and how to get them done on time and under budget. It's an exciting time to be the chairman of the committee, so I didn't want to take my eye off the ball at all.” 

Shuster has also been pushing legislation to transfer control of the nation’s air traffic control system to a nonprofit corporation, but it has stalled in the House despite support from Trump.

Shuster first won election to the House in 2001, replacing his father, Bud Shuster, who also served as chairman of the House Transportation Committee.  

The district in western Pennsylvania has been held by members of the Shuster family since 1973. It’s likely to remain in the GOP column, given that Trump won the district handily in 2016. 

Bill Shuster's 2016 reelection campaign was dogged by ethical questions about his relationship with a top airline lobbyist while leading the Transportation Committee and pushing his air traffic control legislation.

Shuster narrowly defeated a primary challenger, Art Halvorson, who then ran against him in the general election as a Democrat.

Under Shuster, the Transportation Committee produced a five-year highway bill to fund transit projects, an accomplishment that had eluded lawmakers for years as they repeatedly passed short-term transportation spending patches. Until then-President Obama signed the legislation in 2015, Congress had not passed a highway bill lasting longer than two years since 2005.

Shuster had maintained as recently as November that he planned to stay in Congress despite other term-limited committee chairmen announcing their plans to retire.

Shuster suggested to The Hill at the time that he had ambitions on the House Armed Services Committee.

"My intention is to stick around. I've got some other opportunities. I'm pretty senior on the Armed Services Committee," Shuster said. "[Chairman] Mac ThornberryWilliam (Mac) McClellan ThornberryRight scrambles GOP budget strategy Defense hawks warn spending fix could hobble military DACA advocates see efforts gaining steam in the House MORE has another term, but I'm on the top prong there, and I've demonstrated that I can get things done."

Nearly twice as many House seats currently held by Republicans will be up for grabs in 2018 so far compared to the Democrats. More retirement announcements could emerge in the coming days as lawmakers return to Washington after spending the holidays at home.

Fifteen Democratic-held seats will be open in 2018, due to eight House Democrats running for other office, five retirements and the resignation of former Rep. John ConyersJohn James ConyersAbortion-rights group endorses Nadler in race to replace Conyers on Judiciary Democrats turn on Al Franken Michigan state senator to run for Congress MORE (D-Mich.). Rep. Ruben KihuenRuben Jesus Kihuen BernalDems purging party of alleged abusers; GOP should follow suit House Dems scrubbed Kihuen from incumbent program after harassment allegations Nevada Dem says he won’t resign despite calls from party leaders MORE (D-Nev.), who like Conyers was accused of sexual harassment, will serve out the rest of his term but will not seek reelection.

By comparison, Republicans will have to grapple with at least 28 open seats this year. Two Republicans who resigned over sexual misconduct will be replaced in special elections by mid-year. Rep. Pat TiberiPatrick (Pat) Joseph TiberiUS trade officials challenging China over aircraft tax policy Tiberi tapped for Joint Economic Committee post Finance chair: Trade deal may need to be renegotiated MORE (R-Ohio) is also expected to step down by the end of January to take a position at the Ohio Business Roundtable, which is likely to prompt a third special election.

Ten other House Republicans are running for other office, while 15 others have said they will serve out the remainder of their terms but won't seek reelection. That includes two Texas Republicans, Reps. Joe BartonJoe Linus BartonCalifornia state lawmaker accused of sexual harassment GOP lawmaker says he'll repay cost of harassment settlement Seven Texas lawmakers leaving Congress means a younger, more diverse delegation MORE and Blake FarentholdRandolph (Blake) Blake FarentholdConyers attorney: Congressman won't pay settlement back because it was 'cleared' Farenthold accuser: 'It's been a tough road’ Accuser says GOP lawmaker 'blackballed' her from finding another job after settling sexual harassment suit MORE, who like Kihuen were accused of sexual misconduct and won't run for additional terms in Congress.

This report was updated at 3:42.