By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's death last week ended the more than 50-year reign of the Senate "lions" — a select group of iconic, long-serving members whose presence connected the chamber to some of the most important events of the past half-century.
When Sen. Marco Rubio delivers his first formal address in the Senate on Tuesday, the Florida Republican will be the last of the 13 freshman senators swept into office in January to give his so-called "maiden speech."
"I am going to Texas, and you can go to hell," was the kiss-off line Rep. Davy Crockett had for his Tennessee constituents after they failed to re-elect him in 1834. Crockett's post-congressional career was short but immortal.
Still, that doesn't mean there can't be a new generation of Senate lions, said Donald A. Ritchie, the Senate's resident historian.
"He could be forceful when he wanted to be," Mr. Ritchie said. "He saw what he wanted to do, and he did it."
