Washington, January 07: Democratic chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Chris Dodd, plans to announce his retirement, shortly after reports of the retirement of another fellow Democrat.
Some maintain that their decisions illustrate the fragility of the Democrat’s 60-vote majority in the Senate, and what allies of the Democratic President Barack Obama need to break Republican filibusters.
Senator Byron Dorgan from North Dakota said Tuesday that he would not seek reelection in November.
“Over this holiday season, I have come to the conclusion, with the support of my family, that I will not be seeking another term,” Dorgan said, citing a desire to pursue “other priorities” after 30 years in public life, AFP reported.
Dodd, 65, from Connecticut will also announce his decision on Wednesday afternoon at a press gathering, The Washington Post reported.
The Republican camp in an abrupt reaction leveled criticisms against the Democrats, saying the two Democrats are trying to ward off a certain defeat in the November election.
“For nearly a year, congressional Democrats have been turning a deaf ear to the concerns of the American people and as the elections of 2010 approach, many of these same Democrats are deciding to simply leave office instead of risking certain defeat,” said Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Dodd was already considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing reelection this November, and party officials had been privately hoping he would step aside.
His bid for Democratic presidential nomination failed late in 2008 because of meager public support.
Dodd as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee played a pivotal role in both the huge government bailout of the financial system and the economic stimulus package that was adopted at the start of last year.
——Agencies