In his farewell speech to the U.S. Senate, Utah Senator Mitt Romney urged his colleagues to focus on unity, despite the ongoing division in American politics.
Reflecting on his career, which included serving as Massachusetts governor and running for president in 2012, Romney said, “My life’s work has been a collective endeavor,” adding that while he felt a sense of accomplishment, there were still goals left unachieved.
One issue he highlighted was the country’s growing national debt, which he said has blocked progress in areas like military spending and social security benefits. He explained, “If we weren’t burdened by this debt, we could triple military spending or double Social Security payouts.”
Romney also shared a bit of personal insight, admitting that while he cherished the friendships he’d made across the aisle, he wouldn’t miss the “countless meaningless votes” or the drawn-out “10-minute votes” that often extended for hours.
As someone who had been one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, Romney seemed to allude to Trump in his speech, stating, “There are those who try to undermine our unity, replacing love with hatred and mocking our core values.”
Reflecting on his time in office, Romney said, “I’ve come to realize that politics alone can’t solve our biggest problems,” emphasizing the importance of moral leadership and unity in solving the nation’s challenges.
He also took a moment to honor Utah, a state he deeply cherished, calling its people “good-hearted” and its landscapes “stunning.” He ended his speech with a call for continued blessings on America, quoting De Tocqueville’s observations on the country’s generosity and commitment to freedom.
Romney concluded by stressing the importance of unity, stating, “The character of our nation is defined by its people as much as its leaders. I leave Washington to return to the people, hoping to be a voice for unity and moral integrity.”