“I have been informed by the Speaker-elect that I will not serve as the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 110th Congress. I am obviously disappointed with this decision. As we learn in Ecclesiastes, however, for everything there is a season.
“I have been honored to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 14 years and look forward to having this privilege for many, many more years to come.
“I appreciate the support that I received for my potential chairmanship from numerous colleagues here in Congress, from supporters across the country and, indeed, spanning the globe. Their words to me and on my behalf are something for which I am truly grateful.
“This institution is organic. Many opportunities are ever-present and changing.
“Now I must, and will seek other ways to better serve the citizens of Florida’s 23rd Congressional District and our great Nation.
“As has been the case over the past seven years of my service on the Intelligence Committee, the next Chair of the Committee will have my full support to do everything we can to protect the national security of the United States and our allies.
“Our nation’s national security is far more important than my professional security.
“Best of all, I will be seeking better and bigger opportunities in a Democratic Congress. There is much to be accomplished and little time to re-set this nation’s economic and spiritual compass. I look forward to working with our new Speaker of the House and all of my colleagues to see that we do this at once.
Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet.”