Auto Industry Defender John Dingell to Retire

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), a tireless advocate for the auto industry and the longest-serving member of Congress ever, says he will retire at the end of his current (30th) term.

Dingell, 87, has been a member of the House of Representatives for 58 years. He was first elected at age 29 to fill the remainder of his father's term.

During his tenure, Dingell has worked with 11 presidents. He co-authored the Clean Air Act of 1990 and legislation in 1975 that set the first corporate average fuel economy standards. He also was involved in such milestones as the 1964 Voting Right Act, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

In his two stints as head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (1981-1994 and 2007-2008), Dingell held strong influence over legislative proposals affecting the U.S. auto industry.