Another Republican announces retirement

WASHINGTON-Congressman J.C. Watts, the fourth ranking Republican in the House of Representatives and the only African-American Republican in all of Congress, announced July 1 that he would not seek re-election. He had initially only planned on serving three terms, but later decided on a fourth that concludes at the end of this congressional session. “I am pleased to say that over the last eight years Congress has even managed to improve itself while achieving great things for the American people. The operations of Congress are more open and transparent; its staff is smaller and more responsive; its procedures more democratic; and its integrity less open to question,” Watts said of achievements during his tenure in the House. “His committee assignments took him out of the day-to-day involvement with credit unions,” NAFCU Vice President of Communications Jay Morris said. “Nevertheless, he was a supporter of credit unions when we had items before the House.” He pointed out that Watts voted in favor of the Credit Union Membership Access Act. Watts serves on the Armed Services Committee and is the Republican Conference chairman.