A record number of U.S. House members, primarily Republicans, are announcing they will not seek re-election or are resigning from Congress. This trend, with 43 House members and 10 senators not running, is attributed to political dynamics such as gridlock, concerns about Donald Trump's approval ratings, and the potential for a "blue wave" favoring Democrats in upcoming midterms. Many departing members are older and experienced, signaling broader dissatisfaction with Washington.