GOP Rep. Davis resigns from Congress

Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) is retiring from Congress immediately, he announced Tuesday.

Davis had previously announced that he would not run for reelection.

Davis said in a statement that a "family health issue" has come up that will take up more of his time.

"Those priorities continue to guide my decisions. Recently, a family health issue has developed that will demand significantly more of my time to assist," Davis said in a statement. "As a result, I cannot continue to effectively fulfill my obligations to both my office and my family. Family must and will come first."

Davis's resignation is effective Tuesday.

"Therefore, I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives effective at close of business on July 31, 2012," Davis continued in the statement. "I have served with great men and women in the Congress in both parties, and leave knowing that the House is filled with people who love this country and are working to make our future better. I am grateful to have been blessed by being a part of this great institution."

In response, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) said he "fully" supported Davis's decision.

"As much as he will be missed in the Committee between now and the end of the year, I fully support and respect Geoff’s decision to take care of what matters most – family," Camp said in a statement.

Davis's resignation brings the total number of vacancies in the House to four. The other three are the seats formerly held by Reps. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Donald Payne (D-N.J.).

This story was corrected at 11:46 a.m. to show the accurate number of House vacancies.

---