Rep. Devin Nunes formally resigns from Congress

California GOP Devin Nunes on Monday formally resigned his House seat. The longtime member is leaving to head former President Donald Trump's new media and technology venture.

A resignation letter from Nunes was read aloud on the House floor during a pro forma session  Monday. His resignation will take effect at 11:59 tonight.

"The honorable, the speaker, House of Representatives, madam, I write to inform you that I have notified California Gov. Gavin Newsom of my resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives effective today at 11:59 p.m.," the letter reads.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), who was presiding over the chamber at the time, announced that there are now 433 members of the House of Representatives. Nunes' seat is, for the moment vacant, as is the seat that was held by the late Rep. Alcee Hastings, who passed in April. 

When Nunes announced his surprise departure from the House last month, saying he had been "presented with a new opportunity to fight for the most important issues I believe in."

The recent redrawing of congressional district in California led by state Democrats likely would have made 2022 reelection more difficult for Nunes. 

GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy announced recently that Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio will replace Nunes as the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee. Had Nunes kept his seat, and Republicans won the majority during the upcoming midterm, Nunes would have been poised to become the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

In his letter, Nunes, who was elected 10 times to his seat, wrote, "It has been the honor of my life to represent the people of California’s San Joaquin Valley for the last 19 years."