House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) delivered his last speech on the floor before he resigns from his post Thursday. After a surprise primary loss in June, Cantor's time in office is limited, and current Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, (R., Calif.) has been elected to take his place as leader.
Cantor called serving in Congress "a privilege of a lifetime" and spoke about his life and family history as representing "the American Dream."
"My grandparents fled religious persecution in Europe in order to find a better life. My grandmother, a young Jewish widow, was soon raising my dad above a grocery store in Richmond, just trying to make ends meet. And so it goes, two generations later, her grandson would represent part of what was James Madison’s seat in the House and then go on to serve as its Majority Leader. I have truly lived the American Dream."
Cantor went through a list of thank-yous, including to "my closest confidant and my good friend Kevin McCarthy."
