Article snippet: Veteran Rep. MORE’s (R-Ore.) announcement Monday that he won’t seek reelection marked the latest sign of decreasing confidence among Republicans, even those with top committee posts, that the party can win back the House next year. The Oregon lawmaker’s early departure suggests a growing number of Republicans aren’t certain there’s a viable path for flipping the House in 2020 — a scenario that would have handed Walden two more years as chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden, a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), served as head of the Energy and Commerce panel during the 2018 cycle. “This is obviously a sign of our inability to take the majority,” one House GOP lawmaker told The Hill after Walden’s announcement. “He’s a former NRCC chair, knows the district well, and I think people are also starting to surmise it’s either a Trump or MORE administration we’ll be working under — neither of which is very appealing for good members.” A GOP energy lobbyist added: “It’s a heavy lift to get back the majority.” Walden becomes the 21st Republican to forgo reelection, compared with just seven Democrats. He is also the fifth Republican in a senior committee role to announce retirement plans this cycle. Other GOP ranking members calling it quits include Rep. MORE of the Ethics Committee. Walden, 62, was first elected to the House in 1998 after serving in the Oregon state House and Senate. He previously owned and ... Link to the full article to read more