Threats, dysfunction and flying: Why quitting is all the rage in DC

WASHINGTON – When Dick Durbin retires from Congress, there's one thing he won't miss: flying.

The Democrat has been making the trek from the nation's capital to his home state of Illinois since 1982, when he was first elected to the House of Representatives. After serving seven terms in that chamber, he has spent five more in the Senate, eventually rising through the ranks to hold some of the top leadership positions in the legislative body.

After four decades, he's leaving Washington next year. And he's not the only one.

More than 50 other lawmakers are also not planning to run for reelection to their current seats, according to data from Ballotpedia, National Public Radio and Axios. The bulk of that growing tally comes from the House, where over 40 representatives have signaled their intention to leave the chamber.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/threats-dysfunction-flying-why-quitting-100421510.html