Grassley delivers emotional farewell to Harkin

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) could no longer fight back  tears while saying goodbye to colleague Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Harkin is retiring at the end of the year, and the two lawmakers have served in Congress together since 1974.

{mosads}“To his credit, my colleague’s legacy reflects the priorities he sought out decades ago — to help those on the downside of advantage,” Grassley said while getting choked up. “We send the warmest wishes to Tom and his wife, Ruth, and of course the entire Harkin family. May you enjoy the blessings of hearth and home.”

Harkin was on the Senate floor to hear Grassley’s remarks and thanked him for the 30 years of friendship and collegiality. 

“It’s been a great honor and privileges to represent the people of Iowa,” Harkin said. “We have had a wonderful relationship through all these years.”

Grassley said Harkin has had a “remarkable and distinguished record of public service.”

“While we may not see eye to eye on politics and ideology, we do see eye to eye on working for the Iowa people,” Grassley said.