Chambliss receives largest send off so far

Several senators took to the Senate floor to send off retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).

Chambliss is retiring after two-terms. He said it has been a “great ride.”

{mosads}It was a bipartisan affair, with more than 10 senators from both sides of the aisle paying tribute to the Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member. Twelve senators spoke about his leadership on the day of his farewell speech.

His committee counterpart Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) reminisced about the multiple bottles of wine the two shared while working through issues.

“The person who’s counsel is most sought is that of Saxby Chambliss,” Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said. “That’s what I’ve noticed over the last 10 years more than another person. … It is giving of himself for the benefit of the rest of us.”

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) joked that he’s spent more time Chambliss than his own wife.

“This moment is bittersweet for me, I’ve spent more time with Saxby than I have my own wife over the last few years,” Burr said. 

Burr is expected to take Chambliss’ place on the Intelligence Committee. He also quipped to Feinstein that he too enjoys red wine.

Several more farewell speeches are expected during this final week of the 113th Congress.