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February 25, 2014

Rep. John Dingell, Longest-Serving Member of Congress, to Retire 
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The longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history has announced he
will retire at the end of this term after 59 years. Michigan Democratic
Rep. John Dingell is known as a champion of single-payer healthcare and
a pioneer of early environmental laws, although he resisted some
regulations in defense of Detroit's auto industry. Dingell has also
criticized the deadlock in the current Congress, famously saying during
the partial government shutdown last October, "The American people could
get better government out of monkey island in the local zoo." He
announced his retirement Monday.

Rep. John Dingell: "Like many of you, I have found great disappointment
in this Congress. I want you to know this is not the reason that Debbie
and I are leaving the Congress. We are leaving it for quite a different
reason, and that is, we want to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet
and contentment amongst the people that we have known and loved for so
long."

Dingell's wife, Debbie Dingell, is reportedly considering a run for her
husband's seat.

 

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