US Rep. Martha McSally delivers farewell speech from House floor
Dec 12, 2018, 4:00 PM
PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. Martha McSally told colleagues to “do the right thing, do it for the right reasons and get things done,” Wednesday in her final speech on the floor of the House.
McSally, a Republican who lost a grueling Senate race to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in November, said, “It’s been a tremendous honor to deploy here to the ‘People’s House’ for the past four years.”
The former Air Force combat pilot said her two terms afforded her a front-row seat to history and gave her the opportunity to pay her final respects to American icons, including Sen. John McCain.
McCain died in August, just over a year after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
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McSally thanked her staffs. “I am grateful to my dedicated staff in Arizona, who were omnipresent in our community and fought for constituents who needed help with federal bureaucracy,” she said.
She said her Washington staff saved the A-10 Warthog combat jet and put the Douglas Port of Entry project “on the map.”
McSally talked about being inspired by the constituents she met at schools, small businesses, farms, ranches, military bases and other places in District 2.
“You fueled my purpose here,” she said.
McSally also reminded House members that’s why they all were there.
“To my fellow members of Congress on both sides of the aisle — those that have been here a while and those that will be sworn in soon — I’d humbly ask to never forget the privilege it is to serve here and why you’re here.
“Membership in this body is a precious opportunity. Don’t take it lightly and don’t squander it. It’s not about us.”
Three minutes after those words, she was finished.
McSally leaves office in January, but she might not be done with Washington.
Gov. Doug Ducey appointed U.S Sen. Jon Kyl to succeed Sen. John McCain after McCain died in August, but Kyl hasn’t committed to the position beyond this year.
If Kyl steps down, Ducey would appoint a replacement who would hold the office until 2020.
Regardless of whether Kyl or somebody else holds the seat at that time, voters will decide in a special election who will serve out the final two years of McCain’s term.
