Congress losing last WWII vets, a tea party fave

FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas is seen in his hometown of Rockwall, Texas. As the session winds down this week, Congress is saying farewell to its last two veterans of World War II, the House member whose lodgings inspired TV’s “Alpha House,” a founding firebrand of the tea party, one of its shortest-serving senators and a few dozen others. With the public’s opinion of their efforts hovering near record lows, several lawmakers of various eras are ending their congressional careers sounding a common theme _ they’re leaving the institution worse than they found it. (AP Photo/Will Weissert, File) FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas is seen in his hometown of Rockwall, Texas. As the session winds down this week, Congress is saying farewell to its last two veterans of World War II, the House member whose lodgings inspired TV’s “Alpha House,” a founding firebrand of the tea party, one of its shortest-serving senators and a few dozen others. With the public’s opinion of their efforts hovering near record lows, several lawmakers of various eras are ending their congressional careers sounding a common theme _ they’re leaving the institution worse than they found it. (AP Photo/Will Weissert, File)

By Associated Press December 11, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress is saying farewell to its last two veterans of World War II, the member whose lodgings inspired TV’s “Alpha House” and a founding firebrand of the tea party. It’s also losing one of the shorter-term senators and a few dozen others this week as another session of bickering winds down.

As they end their careers, many lawmakers of various eras are sounding a common note – that they’re leaving the institution in worse shape than they found it.

Republicans, looking forward to taking control of both houses in January, sound more upbeat these days than Democrats. But some departing GOP members are echoing the 9 out of 10 Americans who tell pollsters they disapprove of Congress’ handiwork.