WASHINGTON — Sen. Christopher Dodd decried an era of corrosive hyper-partisanship in his farewell address Tuesday, saying the political system is “completely dysfunctional” and telling his fellow senators they could be effective only by working together.
In an emotional goodbye after 30 years in office, the Connecticut Democrat bemoaned the gridlock he says has overtaken the Senate.
“Intense partisan polarization has raised the stakes in every debate and on every vote, making it difficult to lose with grace and nearly impossible to compromise without cost,” Dodd said. “Americans’ distrust of politicians provides compelling incentives for senators to distrust each other, to disparage this very institution and disengage from the policymaking process.”
The Washington Post
