Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., delivered a farewell House floor speech ahead of his March 31 resignation, acknowledging his faults but also touting his accomplishments during his six-year tenure.
“I leave here with sadness and humility for those whom I’ve let down,” said Schock, 33. “I will work tirelessly to make it up to you.”
Schock announced his plans to step down following allegations he misused taxpayer funds and improperly received free interior design services to make his office look like Downton Abby.
Schock seemed to compare his career downturn with Abraham Lincoln, who he noted in his speech, never gave up despite “defeats in his personal, business and public life.”
Lincoln served the same district in Congress as Schock.
Schock said he is honored “to have played a small part in making a real difference” in Congress as well as back in his district, where he said he helped constituents with economic development and water projects as well as smaller issues such as overseas adoptions “or simply trying to get answers from an unresponsive bureaucracy here in D.C.”
Schock did not indicate what he’ll do next, but he must first untangle himself from potential legal problems. The FBI and prosecutors in Illinois are investigating to determine if Schock’s use of taxpayer funds was in violation of the law. A grand jury is reviewing the case.
