It’s official: Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) on Wednesday resigned from Congress to become president of the Center for Middle East Peace.

Wexler, who has served in the House for seven terms, announced his plan in October but waited until the last vote of the year to resign, effective in January. He has been involved in Middle East policy issues in his role on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

“In the coming months, Israeli and Arab leaders will be faced with monumental decisions that will dramatically affect the region and the entire world for decades to come. Critically important American security and foreign policy interests are also at stake. I am convinced that now is the time for me to engage on these issues on a full time basis,” Wexler said in a statement that was read on the House floor.