Accolades are pouring in from both sides of the aisle after U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the dean of the Florida delegation, announced that she was going to retire from Congress after almost three decades of service.
Over the weekend, Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic Republican ever elected to Congress and the first woman to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that she would not run again in 2018. Ros-Lehtinen was first elected to Congress back in 1989 and has been one of the leading Republicans on international issues during her tenure. With Ros-Lehtinen headed to the sidelines, Democrats are optimistic about flipping her seat since voters in her South Florida district went overwhelming for Hillary Clinton in last year’s presidential election.
"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is one of the most respected and admired members of Congress,” said U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., on Sunday after his fellow South Florida Republican announced that she would not run again next year. “For almost four decades, Ileana has served our community with honor and integrity. From her days as an educator, to the Florida Legislature, and now ending her tenure in Congress, Ileana truly exemplifies what it means to be a public servant. She never seeks political expediency and always puts the interests of her constituents first. From one corner of the globe to another, she is tireless in her crusade for human rights and democracy.
"To say Ileana is a trusted friend and mentor to me is an understatement; she is a part of my family, and I will dearly miss 'mi hermana legislativa' in the halls of Congress,” he added. “I wish nothing but the best for Ileana, her husband Dexter, their children, and their grandchildren as she begins this next chapter in her life."
Praise also came in from the other side of the aisle as well including from U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.
"Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is an incredible public servant and a dear friend,” Wasserman Schultz said on Sunday. “She has served South Florida for 38 years with honor and distinction, and unfailingly defended the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States; she is easily one of Israel’s strongest allies in Congress. The irony is that Washington today is castigated for being too partisan, and a place where no one can get along. But Ileana's warmth and love for life is infectious, and friendship and finding common ground were her calling cards.
“I am proud to call her a close friend and to have worked with her on tough issues as varied as protecting Florida’s roads and beaches, to collaborating on Haitian policy and LGBTQ rights,” Wasserman Schultz added. “She’s always been willing to take the tough stand, and do what was right. It’s been an honor to serve with her in Congress, and play alongside her on a softball field in the congressional women's softball game, where we served as co-captains. She will be sorely missed, not just as a voice for Florida, but throughout Congress and the rest of the country. Mis mejores deseos mi companera y mi amiga."
With Ros-Lehtinen currently chairing the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, she worked very closely with U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., the ranking Democrat on that subcommittee.
"Ileana Ros Lehtinen's retirement is a tremendous loss for South Florida and for the entire country,” Deutch said. “As a public servant, she has worked tirelessly for her constituents for over three decades. Hardly a day goes by where Ileana isn’t on the House floor celebrating a remarkable person or event in her district.
"Ileana broke barriers as the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress and the first female chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” Deutch continued. “She has been a stalwart champion for human rights around the world, a voice for the oppressed, an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ equality, and one of the most steadfast defenders of Israel. Her legislative contributions have led to some of the toughest international sanctions against Iran, North Korea and Venezuela, and the promotion of democracy worldwide.
"From the moment I arrived in Congress, Ileana has been a friend and a partner,” Deutch added. "We have worked together countless times from championing equality to strengthening the U.S. - Israel relationship. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve with her as ranking member of the Middle East Subcommittee. Her humor and good nature provides a welcome respite from the partisan challenges we face each day. Every member of Congress should learn something from the way Ileana has conducted herself over the past 28 years. She has crossed the aisle to stand up for what she believes is right. She has stood firm in her convictions and stood up for those she represents even when it meant making tough political choices.
"As she finishes out her current term, I know that Ileana will work just as hard as she always has for the people of South Florida and on behalf of our country,” the South Florida Democrat concluded. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside her for the next year and a half, and I will miss working with her when she is gone."
