Powerful Republican Head of House Spending Panel to Retire
- Frelinghuysen faced tough race in New Jersey district
- Voter anger over tax bill end to state deduction a factor
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Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen, the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee who faced a daunting re-election challenge, announced he is retiring from Congress, the latest signal of a potential Democratic electoral wave that could flip control of the U.S. House after the November midterms.
“My father reminded me often that we are temporary stewards of the public trust," the 12-term Republican said in a statement. "I have sincerely endeavored to earn that trust every day and I thank my constituents and my home state of New Jersey for the honor to serve and I will continue to do so to the best of my abilities through the end of my term."