(CNN) - California Republican Rep. David Dreier, one of the longest-serving Republicans in the House, announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the year.
The veteran lawmaker's decision to retire after nearly 32 years in the chamber was expected because California's redistricting process left him essentially without a House seat to represent. He is the seventh Golden State House member to opt not to run due to the new map that redrew Congressional districts across the state.
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Dreier, who chairs the influential House Rules Committee, which sets the format for debating bills on the floor, took the unusual move of making his announcement public from the well of the House floor.
"First, this is where my fellow Californians sent me to represent them," Dreier explained. "Second, I am a proud institutionalist, and I believe that this institution is as great as it has ever been."
In his speech Dreier said he thought about leaving Congress three years ago, but wanted to serve another term to push through key priorities like the three recent trade agreements, bills to cut federal spending and new rules allowing both parties to offer changes to legislation on the floor.
Despite leading a panel that is known for its predictable partisan split on virtually every rule it passes to detail the structure for debating legislation, Dreier is well liked by members of both parties.
As he stood in the House chamber, a place that has witnessed bitter partisan divide over recent months, the California Republican appealed to his colleagues to work together.
"I have always believed that Republicans and Democrats alike serve the American people best when we find ways to build bipartisan consensus," Dreier said.
His announcement comes a day after another moderate Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, surprised colleagues saying she would not to run for re-election. She pointed to the partisan atmosphere in Washington as a chief reason for her retirement.
From CNN Politics
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Wow, another one. Things look tenous for the GOP all around come November.
I was sorry to hear about Sen. Snowe. She saw her duty to country before Party for the most part.
Think it might be because some people are sick and tired of Tea?
Hey, thanks Tea Party/Religious Right, for screwing up the GOP.
I just wish these activists would have just started their own party, and left the GOP alone.
Add that to the Drive for 25. House goes to Dems. in November.
Dreier will not be missed by the majority of Californians.
In California, we took districting out of the hands of politicians and into the hands of a nonpartisan commission. The result is that extremists like Dreier and Brian Bilbray will no longer enjoy automatic reelections in gerrymandered districts. The long-term result will be representatives who will be more beholden to the citizens they represent instead of to special interests.
I recommend that the whole country follow California's lead in nonpartisan districting.
Adios! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I would like to see the GOP nationwide drop like flies....the tide will turn back to more rational thinking!
Looks like the Democrats will take the house LOL.
Take your toys and go home, what a baby.
With the new insider trading laws, David Dreier will be better off in the private " Lobby " sector.
A great example of what non-partisan redistricting can accomplish. No more long term incumbents being guaranteed re-election because they've gerrymandered their districts.
I guess I'm an outsider, because redistricting a candidate out of office before the election even happens sounds like a bad case of gerrymandering to me. But I'm not from Cali, so I don't really know.
D 4 O
I totally agree with you. It was a good nation when we had a congress working FOR we the people, and not just their party.
goodie goodie goodie. Most repos wanted redistricing so they would have the upper hand. Glad california took matters into their own hands. My state has drawn the map 3 times already. Of course it is a repo state and they have effectivly tied most democrats hands. Many states have done this and it will have a negative effect this election. Obama/Biden 2012
Data Driven
Dreier will not be missed by the majority of Californians.
In California, we took districting out of the hands of politicians and into the hands of a nonpartisan commission. The result is that extremists like Dreier and Brian Bilbray will no longer enjoy automatic reelections in gerrymandered districts. The long-term result will be representatives who will be more beholden to the citizens they represent instead of to special interests.
I recommend that the whole country follow California's lead in nonpartisan districting.
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There is no such thing as a "non-partisan commission". Whoever appoints the commission determines what they will do by virtue of the people they appoint. I suppose you would call a commission with Pelosi, Reid and Obama "non-partisan" right?
So do tell how many Democrat districts were re-districted into Republican leaning districts? Likely NONE.
@sielingfan
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Redistrictng takes place every 10 years - after the census shows how many people live in a certain area.
Remember that - then you will know at least one thing about this country and the long-standing rules.
GI Joe:
D 4 O, I LIKE that! lol.I ALWAYS look out for your posts my friend.
Judy and GI Joe thanks for pointing out the issue of redistricting. We need to be aware of the crucial yet behind-the-scenes ways that the GOP is hoping to take the WH in November. People need to realize that these methods along with a myriad of revisions to Voting Laws IS the shiny object we should ALL be keeping in our sites, not thease Teatarded morons they've got running, Obama can handle them!
Obama 2012.
give the republicans the power and your kids and grand kids could be working on a corperate labour farm
I swallowed a couple of words in my last post. It should've read: "that the GOP is hoping to use to take the WH in November".
Posting @ work on the down-low! tee hee!
@sielingfan
You're not an outsider. You're just an ignorant person who chooses to see the world as you feel rather than it is. And I'm sure you vote. If you want to know why politicians lie and say stupid things look in the mirror.
Best thing for the GOP is that they lose everything in Nov. That should finally put an end to pulling the party so far to the right that moderate Republicans cannot survive. If they lose everything, then the moderates will be able to rebuild the party and the brand.
Maybe the Republicans should sue and have the courts decide it like the Democrats did in Texas? But with the liberal "non-partisan" courts in California I doubt it would be successful.
And soon he will come out of the closet and apologize for voting down any Gay rights legislation for the last three decades. Look it up.
after we have finished with the rinos, we will go after the dinos.
eventually, the Republic will be restored.
your welcome.
@Truth,you can keep the people quiet just so long.Repubs can run but because of their mouths ,they can't hide.We're giving the Repubs the rope,just waiting for them to hang themselves as usual.@Tea party Dem was never a Dem to begin with ,doesn't know the difference between the parties,what a joker.
California Republican. Isn't that an oxymoron?