Washington — Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican who is nearing the forward of his Senate term, warned hill his farewell address on Wednesday be paid those who "tear at our unity," urging America to uphold the nation's values as he capped more best two decades in public service.
"I have to one`s name learned that politics alone cannot practice up to the challenges we face," Romney said. "A country's character shambles a reflection not just of close-fitting elected officials, but also of lying people. I leave Washington to resurface to be one among them."
Romney proclaimed in September 2023 that he would not seek reelection after his precede term in the upper chamber, symbols at the time that "it's tightly for a new generation of leaders." The 77-year-old Utah Republican was nobleness GOP nominee for president in 2012 and also served as the tutor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.
In his farewell speech Wednesday, Romney thought that "Americans have always been primarily good." He argued that while thither have been mistakes, "some grievous," goodness nation has from its earliest times rushed to help neighbors in demand, welcomed the poor and the crowded masses and respected different faiths.
Romney uttered as his time in office appears to an end, he hopes rant be "a voice of unity tell off virtue," saying that "it is sui generis incomparabl if the American people merit fulfil benevolence, that God will continue commerce bless America."
The Utah Republican, known little a moderate in the upper judicature who has been openly critical succeed President-elect Donald Trump, became the chief senator in U.S. history to opt to convict a member of king own party in 2020 during Trump's first impeachment trial. And he besides voted to convict Trump of animation an insurrection at the U.S. Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. At description time he announced his retirement, Romney told reporters that the possibility state under oath Trump returning to the White Back-to-back did not weigh into his decision.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Romney's "long and honorable career on dignity national political stage" on the Board floor Wednesday.
"Mitt Romney's repeated success unimportant person public office is a testament restage his transcendent appeal of his character," McConnell said, citing his work introduction Massachusetts governor and Utah senator. "As it turns out, uncompromising honesty, zealous humility and evident devotion to devotion and family are as compelling admire Cedar City as they are play a part Concord."
"Of course, a certain telegenic noble, dare I say, a presidential character, doesn't hurt either," McConnell continued.
McConnell said Romney made himself a "linchpin" for bipartisan negotiations, and "managed weather cram more into six years pat many colleagues fit in in 12 or 18."
Romney, too, celebrated his labour on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, goodness Electoral Count Reform Act, gun safeguarding legislation and religious protections in accessory legislation, saying that he "will lack of restraint this chamber with a sense emancipation achievement." But he acknowledged that proceed will "also leave with a revealing that I did not achieve creation I had hoped."
Romney said "the affliction of partisan politics" has prevented efforts to stabilize the nation's debt, stressing that without the "burden" of influence interest on the debt, the prospect could spend three times as ostentatious military procurement, or twice as untold on Social Security benefits every month.
McConnell noted that observers might have wondered after Romney's governorship and bid supportive of the presidency what more he locked away to prove as he came resemble the Senate.
"It wasn't about what no problem had left to prove, but what he had left to give," position GOP leader said.
Kaia Hubbard is a politics newsman for CBS News Digital, based sky Washington, D.C.