Senator Tom Carper Announces Retirement After 50 Years

Senator Tom Carper of Delaware has given his farewell address on the Senate floor, marking the end of a nearly 50-year political career. Carper, who has served as a U.S. Senator since 2001, previously held positions as Delaware's governor and sole congressman, emphasizing bipartisan achievements such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Known for his centrist views and humor, Carper highlighted the importance of personal politics and diplomacy, lessons learned from President Joe Biden. He expressed pride in his environmental work, particularly in addressing Delaware's vulnerability to climate change. Carper will retire in January 2025, with Lisa Blunt Rochester set to succeed him, making history as the first Black Delawarean senator. Despite concerns about Republican legislative rollbacks, Carper remains optimistic about bipartisan solutions and ongoing projects like the Mid-Atlantic hydrogen hub.