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John Dingell, longest serving U.S. lawmaker, to retire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who replaced his father in the House 58 years ago and became one of the most powerful members of Congress ever, will step down after this year, capping a career umatched in its longevity and singular in its influence and sweep.

Dingell, 87, will retire at the end of his current term, his 29th full one.

In June Dingell surpassed the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia as the longest-serving member of Congress ever .

He has cast tens of thousands of votes and helped pass, if not write, the most iconic pieces of legislation of the last six decades, from the Civil Rights Act and Medicare to the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act and, in 2010, the Affordable Care Act.

Dingell will announce his retirement publicly at a noon luncheon in Southgate, Mich.

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