Rep. Henry Waxman, California Democrat, will not seek re-election this year, becoming another member of a growing list of long-tenured congressmen who have recently announced their plans to call it quits.
Mr. Waxman, who is retiring after 40 years in Congress, had been the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and also chaired the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform at the tail end of the George W. Bush administration.
In a statement, Mr. Waxman said he’s grateful for the support of his constituents, supporters and allies, colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle, his staff and his family.
“I first ran for office because I believe government can be a force for good in people’s lives,” he said. “I have held this view throughout my career in Congress. And I will leave the House of Representatives with my conviction intact. I have learned that progress is not always easy. It can take years of dedication and struggle. But it’s worth fighting for.”
Other recent retirement announcements to come from Mr. Waxman’s California delegation include 20-term Democratic congressman George Miller and 11-term GOP congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon.
Two long-tenured members of Virginia’s congressional delegation — 17-term Republican Frank Wolf and 12-term Democrat Jim Moran — also announced recently they will retire.
By David Sherfinski
Read more:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/30/longtime-rep-henry-waxman-retire/#ixzz2ruAoqMNc Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter