Democratic Rep. David Cicilline is leaving Congress in June

• Cicilline’s departure will provide some breathing room for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) while the seat is vacant. McCarthy at present can only lose a handful of votes on any give party-line floor vote.

Driving the news: "Serving the people of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District has been the honor of my lifetime," Cicilline, who is serving his seventh term in the House, said in a statement.

• "As President and CEO of one of the largest and oldest community foundations in the nation, I look forward to expanding on the work I have led for nearly thirty years in helping to improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders," he added.

The backdrop: Cicilline, who is gay, is the co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Congressional Equality Caucus and has argued for LGBTQ+ representation in leadership.

• He mounted a surprise challenge to Rep. Jim Clyburn's (D-S.C.) bid for assistant minority leader, the No. 4 position in House Democratic leadership, after the 2022 midterm elections.

• He was tapped by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to serve as the parliamentarian of the Democrats’ powerful Steering and Policy Committee after dropping his challenge to Clyburn.
• Cicilline was a House impeachment manager for former President Trump's second impeachment, after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.