In an emotional speech on the House floor, a longtime member of Congress who has served in the lower chamber since 1987, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), has announced his retirement.
WATCH Upton make his exit on video:
“Even the best stories have a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said.
He referred to former President Reagan by saying: “Reagan worked both sides of the aisle to get things done, caring less about who got the credit, and I made a promise that such a principle would be my guiding light.”
Upton was among the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which made him a target of Trump and his supporters, as reported.
Upton previously served on the House GOP’s leadership steering committee and chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee, over his 35 years in the House. He was also a member of the House Problem Solvers caucus.
Along with Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) who voted for Trump’s impeachment to announce that they will not run for reelection, the Michigan Republican is the fourth House GOP member who has done the same.
“UPTON QUITS! 4 down and 6 to go. Others losing badly, who’s next?” Trump wrote shortly after Upton’s announcement.
“Fred’s statesman-like legacy will be remembered both in Michigan and our nation’s capital. I wish both he and Amey the best as they start their next chapter,” Rep. Bill Huizenga wrote.
“To him, ‘bipartisan’ and ‘compromise’ are not forbidden words. Fred knew well that if we’re going to deliver real solutions for the American people, we need to come together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the issue might be,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said on the floor following Upton’s announcement.