National and Michigan leaders comment on Stupak's retirement

WASHINGTON, DC – Following U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak’s announcement he would not seek re-election, national leaders and leaders from Michigan offered statements.

President Barack Obama

“For more than three decades – whether protecting Michiganders in their communities as a police officer and state trooper, or protecting the Great Lakes in the halls of Congress – Bart Stupak has dedicated his life to public service. Since arriving in Washington, he has never lost sight of his principles or the people he was elected to represent. He has been a tireless advocate for hard working families across northern Michigan and for law enforcement officers and first responders across the nation. Michelle and I thank Congressman Stupak for his service and wish him and his family joy and success in their future endeavors.”

U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI)
"I am saddened by the news that Bart will not be running again. He's an outstanding member of Congress, a remarkable Subcommittee chairman, a fighter for his constituents and his convictions. But above all these things Bart is a truly decent and caring human being and public servant of the highest order. I know that Bart, his lovely wife Laurie and their dear son Ken did not come to this decision easily. Bart has served the public for more than 30 years. He put his life on the line as a Michigan State trooper and he has put the needs of his country before all else during his 18 years in Congress.

"Bart was a true leader in the health care fight. It was his questioning before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee that forced insurance company executives to admit they would not end the practice of rescission on their own. He has also been a true leader in our fight to make America's food and drug supply safer.

“While Bart and I don’t see eye to eye on the specific issue of abortion, he certainly played a valuable role voicing the concerns of the pro-life community during the debate on health care reform. Bart proved to be one of the best poker players we’ve ever seen on Capitol Hill and because of his work, health care reform is now the law of the land.

"One of my best decisions as Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce was to see that Bart became Chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee. He is an able investigator with an inquisitive mind and determination to find the truth. All Americans have benefited from his leadership of that Subcommittee.

“I will greatly miss serving with Bart Stupak. His district, Michigan and our country will miss his public service."

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi
“Congressman Bart Stupak has served Michigan's First District with great distinction for nearly two decades. He has remained a stalwart advocate for the interests, hopes, and aspirations of his constituents and Michigan's families have been well served by his years in the House.

“Nowhere did First District voters or the entire nation witness his tenacity and steadfast commitment more than in the successful effort to provide quality, affordable health care to all Americans. Throughout the battle for reform – from his crucial role on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to his leadership on the floor of the House – Bart Stupak was a forceful advocate for providing health care to all Americans.

“I thank Congressman Stupak for his years of dedicated service to the House of Representatives, and I wish him well in his future endeavors.”

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer
“Congressman Bart Stupak has been a valued member of the Democratic caucus, representing northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula for nearly two decades. During that time, he has truly dedicated himself to his office, serving with the confidence of his constituents and the respect of his colleagues. “On matters of principle, Mr. Stupak has always stood strong, while recognizing that we can and must work together to make progress on behalf of the people we represent. I know that Mr. Stupak will continue to represent his office with that distinction as he finishes out his term. I commend him for his years of tireless work on behalf of Michigan and this country, and wish him and his family the very best.”

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman
“This is a huge loss for the Committee. Rep. Stupak has been a brilliant Oversight and Investigations Committee Chairman, and his work on food safety and oversight of the health insurance industry has had an enormous impact.”

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
“Bart Stupak is a public servant of great integrity and genuine conscience. I deeply regret his decision from a public perspective, but I also respect and understand his decision because of the longevity of his service and the tremendous sacrifice that his service has entailed for him and his family.”

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
“Bart Stupak has been a true champion for Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula families and a friend of mine for many years. I know he would have been successful had he sought reelection. His passion and dedication to public service have been tremendous assets to our entire state and will be deeply missed.”

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
“Bart Stupak has been a stalwart fighter for the first district and Michigan. As chairman of an Energy and Commerce subcommittee, he has been a champion for the Great Lakes State. His example of service with civility should be a model for all to follow. While the recent negative and personal attacks on this man of conscience over his position on health care reform have been shocking, I hope the bitterness will not deter other good citizens from choosing to serve our country and our communities. I send my best to Bart and Laurie and my deepest thanks for serving Michigan with dignity and honor.”

U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI)
U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee said if U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak announces his retirement this afternoon, it would be a huge loss for the state of Michigan.

“He’s (a) great campaigner and a great congressman and I’m stunned by all this,” said Kildee, D-Flint. “He’s a tireless person and we’ll miss him very much and Michigan will miss him because he’s a powerful position in Congress for us.”

Kildee said he did not believe Stupak would have been easily beaten in the next election, despite the controversy surrounding Stupak and his role in the national health care debate.

U.S. Congressman Sander Levin (D-MI)

“Bart Stupak is an immensely valuable and well-respected Member of Congress. He combines strength of character, a human decency, a strong work ethic and a real commitment to Michigan and middle class families. He has always ardently reflected his deep roots in Michigan in general and the upper peninsula in particular. He is a close friend, I regret his decision and I will miss working with him in Congress. I extend my warmest regards to Bart and Laurie on this difficult decision and I am confident after finishing this term in Congress that they will continue to find new ways to pursue their interests and passion for public service.”

U.S. Congressman Gary Peters (D-MI)
“Bart Stupak is a committed public servant who worked hard for the people of Northern Michigan for all of his 18 years in office. His record as a tireless defender of the Great Lakes and a champion of food and drug safety will be enduring. Bart has been extremely helpful to me since I took office last year and we have fought side by side on issues important to Michigan. I wish him and his family all the best.”

Former Michigan Governor James J. Blanchard

“Bart's decision not to seek re-election is a big loss for Michigan and our congressional delegation. I have worked with Bart for 25 years, and while we did not agree on every single issue, we agreed on most, and I have always admired his dedication and commitment to the people and families of Michigan, especially northern Michigan. I salute him for his hard work in building the future of our great state.”

Dianne Byrum – former Democratic Leader in the Michigan House of Representatives

and MSU Trustee from Onondaga Michigan
“Congressman Bart Stupak has been a tireless public servant who fought every day for the people of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan. From his very first day in office, Congressman Stupak has been a real fighter who stood up to the special interests and put people first. Congressman Stupak is a strong and effective leader, a man of deep principle, and a friend to all Michigan citizens. I am certain he will continue fighting for the issues that matter to the citizens of Michigan, from creating jobs to protecting our Great Lakes. We wish him all the best. We know he will keep giving back to the state that he loves.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer

“Congressman Bart Stupak has done an outstanding job on behalf of the constituents of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. He has long been a strong voice in Washington on issues such as the protection of the Great Lakes and economic development and has done an excellent job as Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations – working on behalf of consumers not only in Michigan but also throughout the country. We thank Congressman Stupak for his 18 years of service as the 1st District’s Congressman and we wish him well in his future endeavors. He will be sorely missed.”

U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA)

“I am deeply saddened by Bart’s decision to leave Congress at the end of this year.

I’ve known Bart for many years. Bart and I have spent many hours together in Washington – from working on legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee to working out in the gym every morning we’re in town.

I’ve come to know him as a warm, decent, thoughtful guy who calls them like he sees them and keeps his word. Those are qualities in all too short supply in Washington, and the House will be diminished by his departure.

Not only is Bart one of my oldest, closest friends in Congress. He’s also one of the hardest-working Members of the House, doggedly pursuing what he thought was right, no matter what the cost. I got to see his dedication up-close through our service together on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where we grappled with a number of complex important issues on a daily basis – issues like health care reform and national energy policies. Bart always weighed these issues carefully and came to a conclusion he felt comfortable with. I feel confident in saying that Members of the Committee on both sides of the aisle respected his views and appreciated his insights.

Not only did I get to observe him when we worked together on the House Energy and Commerce Committee; I have also had the honor of serving on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight, which Bart chairs. Bart has been a fair, efficient, and effective Chairman who has used his authority to ensure that American consumers and taxpayers were well-served by the laws and agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction.

Bart never “went Washington” or forgot why he was here. Throughout Bart’s service in Congress he never lost sight of who sent him to Washington, and he worked tirelessly to represent his constituents in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District the best way he knew how.

I understand why Bart’s decided to retire after 18 years in Congress, and I respect his decision. As his friend, I will miss getting to spend time with him every week, and I know a lot of other Members feel the same way. And as Coach of the Democrats’ Baseball Team, I am very unhappy about losing my starting first baseman. Bum knee or no bum knee, he’s a hell of an athlete.

I wish Bart and his wife Laurie good luck and happiness as they start a new chapter in their lives.”

U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04)
“With the announcement of his retirement, my friend and colleague, Bart Stupak will be leaving Congress after 18 years of tenacious, dignified, and honorable service to our Nation and the families of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I will miss Bart’s leadership on protecting the Great Lakes and his tireless determination to protect consumers and fight for working families. I wish Bart and his wife, Laurie, much-deserved rest and happiness.”