At the end of the 118th Congress, 13 Senators will be departing or have already left the halls of Congress before the end of the term, which includes nine Democrats, two Independents and two Republicans.
Of the senators heading for the exits, seven are retiring, three lost their reelection bids, one resigned and two others were special appointments.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) will be resigning at the beginning of the year to become Vice President. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) will also be departing at the beginning of next year after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to become the next Secretary of State.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
The Michigan Senator is retiring after 24 years in the U.S. Senate. She made history when she was the first woman elected to represent Michigan. She helped craft the Affordable Care Act and mental health legislation. Stabenow also chaired the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2021 until 2024.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) praised the 74-year-old’s leadership on the Agriculture Committee, crediting her work that has led to “more good-paying jobs in rural America today” and her work to ensure “schools and meal providers fed hungry kids during the worst days of the pandemic.”
In her goodbye address, Stabenow highlighted her accomplishments over her four terms, including her work to preserve the Great Lakes.
“I am forever grateful to the people of Michigan for the trust they have shown in me over these years,” Stabenow said on the Senate floor. “I see everything through the eyes of Michiganders in our beautiful state. Our Great Lakes and our water are part of our Michigan DNA. Protecting our water has been my passion. From passing my very first bill in the Senate, which bans oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes, to authoring the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This landmark initiative has helped transform the health of our lakes and watersheds, and will continue to do so in the future.”
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) will replace Stabenow in January after defeating former Rep. Mike Rogers (D-MI) in a competitive race.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)
The Maryland Senator is retiring after 18 years in the U.S. Senate. He spent 20 years representing Maryland’s 3rd District in the U.S. House, and before that, he served 19 years in the Maryland General Assembly.
The 81-year-old has been a leader in retirement security, the environment, healthcare, and foreign policy. He helped write the Paycheck Protection Program that helped small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee for half of 2024 after embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted.
Schumer praised Cardin’s 58 years in elected office, where he became a longtime fixture in Maryland politics.
“We are cut from the same cloth. We both began our careers in the state assembly before coming to Congress,” Schumer said. “Ben was elected when he was 23 years old as I was to the assembly and we both have strong Jewish values.”
In his farewell speech, Cardin mentioned the values that have guided him through his career — “Tikkun olam” a Hebrew phrase that translates to “repair the world.”
“Marylanders have allowed me to pursue my ambition of public service to help others whose voices and needs are often ignored in the halls of power. In my family, I was taught from a young age that it’s our responsibility to make the world a better place and help those who are less fortunate and are in need,” Cardin said.
Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive, will replace Cardin in January after defeating former Gov. Larry Hogan.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)
The Delaware Senator is retiring after 23 years in the U.S. Senate. Before that, he served two terms as governor, five terms as the First State’s lone congressman, and two terms as state treasurer.
Carper served as the Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness. He helped influence the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Schumer called Carper a “climate warrior,” emphasizing that “few Senators have fought as long or as hard to take action against the climate crisis as Tom has.”
“When he worked on environmental issues, he knew how important it was to maximize the amount of clean energy we produce. But at the same time, he knew how to talk to members on the other side of the aisle, members who might not agree with him on everything, and get them to support a coalition that would support that legislation,” Schumer said.
In his farewell address, Carper reflected on his bipartisan achievements on the Environment and Public Works Committee.
“We’ve demonstrated time and time again that bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions, and even in today’s polarized environment, it’s still possible to accomplish a great deal for our country, for our planet, and for our citizens,” he said.
Carper will be succeeded by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
The three-term Pennsylvania Senator is bidding the Senate farewell after conceding his competitive Senate race to Republican Dave McCormick weeks ago.
The son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey Sr., the outgoing senator served on the Finance, Health, Intelligence, and the Special Committee on Aging, in which he is the chairman. During his time in the Senate, he worked to strengthen Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, reduce prescription drug costs, and restore workers’ pensions.
Schumer praised Casey’s work as one of the chamber’s champions of disability policy.
“When our former colleague, Sen. Tom Harkin, retired, many people wondered who would carry on as the voice for Americans with disabilities. Without hesitation, and with amazing success, Bob stepped up to the plate,” Schumer said. “In the year since, he has been instrumental in passing legislation to advance the rights of people with disabilities and help them live free from discrimination.”
In his farewell address, Casey warned his colleagues against voting to extend President-elect Donald Trump’s tax cuts, which will be looming once lawmakers return to Congress in January.
“There’s a big moment in 2025, a tax bill. I won’t be here for it, but that tax debate will be a critical moment for American families,” Casey said. “Congress will decide whether to help middle-class and low-income families, people striving to get to the middle class, or to continue what I would argue is a 40-year trend to provide substantial tax benefits to the largest corporations on the planet Earth and the wealthiest Americans.”
“I hope that the Senate will act to help the middle class and those striving to get to the middle class,” he said.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
The three-term Ohio Senator is departing the Senate farewell after conceding his competitive Senate race to Republican Bernie Moreno.
The 72-year-old served as the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Throughout his time in the Senate, his work revolved around his fight for workers and unions. He has said he’s proud of his work to expand healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, his opposition of the North American Free Trade Agreement, that he believed punished American workers, and helping to cap the price of insulin for Medicare patients at $35.
Schumer praised Brown’s career-long fight for American workers.
“He’d listen to the workers who’d drop by before their shift. He’d listen to them talk about their jobs, their families, their kids, about the union. They’d keep him abreast with the latest news about strikes and reminisce about heroes of the labor movement,” Schumer said.
In his farewell address, Brown hinted he isn’t done representing Ohio just yet. He has not ruled out running in a special election in two years to fill the seat of Vance, who will resign his seat to become vice president in January.
“When I walk off the Senate floor at the end of this year, nothing changes,” Mr. Brown said. “I’m not taking off this pin. I’m not giving up my fight for workers.”
“It is not, I promise you, the last time you will hear from me,” Brown said as he concluded his speech.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
The three-term Montana Senator is bidding the Senate farewell after conceding his race to Republican Tim Sheehy.
The outgoing senator served as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations. He said he’s proud of his work with the Native American community and his contribution to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Schumer praised his accomplishments and the fact that while serving in the Senate, Tester also is a third-generation farmer.
“He loves farming so much — he is one of the rare people, I think Senator Grassley is another, who goes home each weekend to tend to his farm. I would call him up, and he would often be on his tractor,” Schumer said.
In his farewell address, Tester urged lawmakers not to weaken defense spending in the next term.
“Address defense spending in ways that keep us safe while holding our military and our contractors responsible. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, those threats are real. They’re doing some god-awful stuff,” Tester said.
“And we need to make sure that we have a military that will deter and hopefully never have to use it. But if we do, we win,” he added.
Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV)
The West Virginia Senator is retiring after 14 years in the U.S. Senate. In 2010, he was elected to finish Sen. Robert Byrd’s (D-WV) term and then was reelected to two full terms.
The former West Virginia governor-turned-senator ultimately decided not to run for reelection last year after it became clear that he’d be facing a formidable challenge against current Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV). Earlier this year, Manchin left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent amid speculation about his political future and long-shot third-party runs for other offices, which ultimately did not happen. Justice will replace Manchin in the Senate next Congress.
The West Virginia Senator served as a roadblock to prevent the erosion of the 60-vote threshold to end debate that gives the minority party the power to block legislation when Democrats wanted to pass sweeping voting rights legislation. He served as the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee
Schumer reflected on his negotiations with the West Virginia senator who often attempted to demonstrate his independence from the Biden administration.
“Under our majority, even though we had lots of disagreements and a few fights — not physical, he would’ve clobbered me in those, Joe Manchin has been an invaluable partner, a dedicated public servant, and a dear friend until the end,” Schumer said.
In his farewell address, Manchin reiterated his wish that his colleagues preserve the 60-vote threshold in the upper chamber.
“I have worked and I believe with every bone in my body, every fiber in me, and every ounce of blood that I have to preserve the bipartisan foundation of the Senate, and that’s the 60 vote threshold of the filibuster,” Manchin said, speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ)
The Arizona Senator is retiring after her first term in the U.S. Senate. She was elected as a Democrat in 2018. She later became an independent in 2022 after clashing with Democrats over her opposition to eliminating the filibuster.
The 48-year-old played a role in helping shape bipartisan bills to fund infrastructure, address gun violence, boost production of semiconductors, and help veterans. She was unsuccessful in negotiating a bipartisan deal on immigration. Her actions to uphold the filibuster caused many Democrats to turn against her, with the Arizona Democratic Party moving to censure her.
Schumer praised Sinema’s negotiation skills that led to the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the PACT Act, which gave veterans medical coverage for exposure to toxic burn pits.
“Our caucus on numerous occasions partnered with her, usually in crunch time, to work with Republicans to help get bills over the finish line. And that’s when Kyrsten was at her best: when it was time to reach an agreement,” Schumer said.
In her farewell address, Sinema warned about the dangers of eliminating the Senate filibuster.
“You don’t have to burn down the rules and the norms to achieve what you want. You can just do the hard work,” Sinema said.
Sinema will be replaced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who won a competitive Senate race against Republican Kari Lake.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)
The Utah Senator is retiring after his first term in the U.S. Senate. The former governor of Massachusetts has been openly critical of President-elect Donald Trump. He voted to convict Trump in both of his two impeachment trials. When he announced his retirement in September 2023, he said the possibility that Trump could return to the White House did not factor into his decision.
During his time in the Senate, the 2012 GOP presidential candidate worked with moderate senators to help negotiate and pass the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS Act. He also worked on initiatives to preserve Utah’s outdoors and has been outspoken on the threats that authoritarian countries like China pose to the U.S.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised Romney’s contributions to major bipartisan legislation.
“He’s made himself a lynchpin for bipartisan negotiations and wound up at the center of the effort that delivered major infrastructure legislation,” McConnell said. “He’s poured himself into worthy fights on behalf of his constituents, navigating everything from tribal politics to State Department bureaucracy with characteristic diplomacy.”
In his farewell address, he warned about those who “tear at our unity,” urging his colleagues to uphold the nation’s values.
“I have learned that politics alone cannot measure up to the challenges we face,” Romney said. “A country’s character is a reflection not just of its elected officials, but also of its people. I leave Washington to return to be one among them.”
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) will succeed Romney in January.
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN)
The Indiana Senator is retiring after his first term in the U.S. Senate and will be taking over as Governor of the Hoosier State.
During his time in the Senate, he often was outspoken about the threats of the accumulating national debt. He was able to work across the aisle and highlighted his work on a healthcare price transparency bill that he co-sponsored with progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
On the legislative front, he emphasized the coalitions he was able to build with unlikely allies, including a healthcare price transparency bill he co-sponsored with progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), during an exit interview with the Washington Examiner.
McConnell praised his work in the Senate, which stepped from his experience starting and growing a southern Indiana auto parts distribution business into a multimillion-dollar company.
“Here in the Senate, Mike’s going-out-of-business approach to public service made an early impression. Careful observers ranked him at one point the most effective freshman in the chamber,” McConnell said.
In his farewell address, Braun said he’s looking forward to continuing his influence in Washington as governor of Indiana.
“The states have been a laboratory for how you fix things,” he said. “That’s where the innovation is going to come from in the next decade. I am so excited to lead that charge back in Indiana.”
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) resigned in August following his felony conviction in a corruption case. The senator had been facing calls from both parties to step down.
Menendez was charged with 16 federal counts, including extortion, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. He was found guilty on all 16 counts last week after the jury deliberated for more than 12 hours over the course of three days.
Menendez had served in the Senate since 2006. Schumer called for Menendez’s resignation immediately following his conviction. The majority of Senate Democrats, prior to the trial, had already said Menendez should relinquish his office.
“In light of this guilty verdict, Sen. Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country and resign,” Schumer said at the time.
Former Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) has replaced Menendez in the Senate and has already been sworn in.
Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and George Helmy (D-NJ)
Both Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and George Helmy (D-NJ) have already departed the Senate after being appointed by their respective state’s governors to fill a vacancy.
Butler left the Senate after serving California for 14 months after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) death. During her time in the upper chamber, she introduced 33 bills, cosponsored 333 pieces of legislation, and helped more than 2,000 constituents with federal casework, according to her office.
In her farewell speech, she invoked the first and second black female senators who preceded her in office.
“It’s been a remarkable honor — a completely unimagined adventure to follow in the footsteps of Dianne Feinstein, who so ably served in this chamber for more than 30 years, and to be blessed to walk the same hallways as Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and share the same office space as Vice President Kamala Harris,” Butler said. “I can only hope that for the people of California … I was able to do half as well as those who came before me.”
Former Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has already replaced Butler in the Senate and has been sworn in.
Helmy departed the Senate earlier in December, serving three months as the caretaker for the seat of disgraced Sen. Menendez.
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In an exit interview with the Washington Examiner, he said he introduced more than 30 bills, situating himself as a voice on youth mental health. Abroad, Helmy highlighted the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East with a trip to Jordan.
“We ran hard, and we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to do, and it’s a continuation of my public service,” he added. “Now, I get to sort of take a seat and think about what I want to do,” he said.
