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Subscribe to RSSChairman of the Rules Committee Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) announced on the House floor this morning that he is retiring.
Joshua Roberts / Getty Images
Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Committee on Rules announced he will not run for reelection February 29, 2012.
This is another blow to Republicans, who just lost Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) yesterday to retirement. But the move wasn't unexpected. Unlike Snowe's retirment, Dreier's was one of the worst-kept secrets on the Hill.
Dreier joins a handful of other Republicans from California who are retiring as a result of redistricting. Dreier's district went away as a result of redistricting.
While a handful of members, who are in similar situations, are running in neighboring districts, Dreier had few other options.
In his floor speech, he said he made the decision, because Americans are asking for change in Congress.
"We all know that this institution has an abysmally low approval rating," Dreier said, "and the American people are asking for change in Congress. And so, I'm announcing today that I will leave the congress at the end of this year."
Dreier was first elected to Congress in 1980. Now in his 16th term, he was considered a top choice in 2005 to take the Majority Leader position, which was instead given to Roy Blunt reportedly because of Dreier's more moderate views. Dreier has been chairman of the House Rules Committee -- which regulates House floor proceedings, debates and votes -- since 1999.
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The best part of hisspeech was ackowledging congress's low apporaval ratings
As I read most of these posts, I despair for the future of our children. I cannot understand how one woman in this country could vote for Mr. Santorum and his blatent attempts to make women subervient. Birth control should be available to all women, just because it is available doesn't mean that those who don't want it have to use it. I can only wait to see when these fanatic right wingers decide that women should not be allowed to vote. And I really have trouble with the idea that a woman should not be allowed to have an abortion, but the same people who are pushing that also want to make sure that there is no public money used to care for these unwanted children. Mr. Romney is so out of touch with the lives of the majority of the American people, I cannot imagine that he will make the lives of the middle class any better. While I do not think that Mr. Obama has been a wonderful president, I cannot imagine voting for any of the Republican candidates, and there are some encouraging signs showing that the economy is getting better. As far as our elected representatives, I think that the really smart, middle of the road people don't want much to do with the circus that is going on in Washington. The idea that religion should be a part of our government is very strange coming from those who yell so loud about following the Constitution. Those who want less government shoud not be worrying about the enforcement of what happens in the bedrooms of the American public. I hope we get a new crop of repesentatives who are ready to work and comprimise for the betterment of all Americans, not just the wealthy.
I agree with everything you wrote, except I think Obama's been a great President so far. He's exactly what we need after the 8-year Cheney/Bush nightmare.
TO Brianb. Not hard to see which party you will blindly vote for in November. Definitely spouting the Republican swan song with no thought of compromise, just like Repubs in Washington. The one good thing is they have shot themselves in the foot and can't stop the bleeding. If they had any intelligence they could have easily worked the system and come out smelling like roses, but all they thought about was defeating Obama. Had they compromised on various issues they good say THEY helped the American people, but No, they had to scream about everything President Obama did as "bad" and now have driven many voters to the other side. One last thing. Israel can hang themselves if they start a war by attacking Iran and God forbid the US is pulled into another war.
to Brianb. Sorry, 4th sentence of my previous post should read "issues they could say they helped the American people."
And there was much rejoicing !!!
Anyone see where Robin's minstrels went?
Why will the GOP loose in November? Simple... they are not for anything... the only thing they offer is "not Obama"... and you cannot win on that slogan.....
Hopefully the so-called leader will follow suit. i do not think anyone Dem or GOP will miss the cigar smoking crybaby who has set a level never known before for incompetency. Boehner and his SWEETIE little shadow Cantor presided over the worst Congress ever.They need to spend less time in Boehners tanning tub and spend some time on Americas problems.The house of GOP'ers will dissappear due to this change and a few more will decide to leave and the DEMS will own both houses and the White House. This change will be the result of Boehner, Cantor and this SUPPOSED leadership. When the California Seats start leaving and the GOP Senators are giving up due to this act of stupidity by the house leadership.Stay tuned more changes coming.
I'm not from his district, but my impression over the years is that Dreier has been fairly conservative and an obedient Republican who followed directions well. But that was then. The new Republican leadership is moving so far to the right that at some point they'll have to do a complete reversal just to appear sane -- maybe they've already reached that point. Still, I'm not all that sorry to see Dreier go. If the crazies take over Dreier's and Snowe's seats, that will make things much easier for Democrats, I think, in convincing voters to vote them for Dems.
Another Republican Enron kisser - Ba-bye dirtbag, have fun with your multi-million $ lobbying contract.
Reminds me of "rats leaving the sinking ship."
Now if all the states would use California as model to redistrict we might really have a government that represents the PEOPLE.
Yes money out is another mandatory step but all this will take years.
as a citizen of CA - another do nothng sponge going away - hallalujah! - All because his district was re-drawn making it "uncomfortable" - so the poor thing would have to actually work to get elected - work to convince those on the oposite side of the fence that his was the right opinion. Good riddance to yet another do nothing millionaire - all on our dime