Democrats to Lose Key Figure as DeFazio Announces Retirement

Congressman Peter DeFazio, (D-Ore.), announced on Dec. 1 that he will retire and not seek re-election in 2022. Chair of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee—a position that allowed him to help shape the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package that passed in November–DeFazio served 36 years in the House of Representatives and was Oregon’s longest serving House member. Elected in 1974, DeFazio is known as a progressive populist who played a key role in drafting the bipartisan infrastructure bill and says he will continue to work on President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda during the remainder of his term. “It’s been a great run, but it’s time to pass the torch,” DeFazio said during a press conference from his office in Washington, D.C., citing health concerns and a desire to spend time with family. “Meanwhile, I’ve got more to do, including work on the Biden agenda, greenhouse gas reduction, equity, …