Let the record show:
- Tom Harkin, the most senior junior senator of the 113th Congress, cast his last vote Dec. 16 to confirm a judge for the Western District of Missouri. He voted aye.
- Harkin’s last non-confirmation vote was on retroactive extension of assorted tax breaks, including a wind energy tax credit. He voted aye.
- According to reader J Dreger: “Assuming neither Chuck Grassley or Tom Harkin die before Harkin finishes his term in the Senate, Harkin will become the longest-serving Senator (on 1/1/15) without ever becoming his state’s senior Senator (currently, that record belongs to J. William Fulbright (D-Arkansas), 1945-74, resigned at the end of 1974, three days before his term concluded, to allow his successor (Gov. Dale Bumpers) to be seated. Fulbright lost to Bumpers in the Primary.)” The 114th Congress convenes Jan. 6.
- Harkin was the last active politician with a cameo as himself in the 1993 political comedy “Dave”.