Rep. Herrera Beutler's advice as she exits Congress

U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler took her last opportunity to address Congress this week to thank her family and her team for for their support over her past 12 years in office.

"To Southwest Washington, thank you for entrusting me six times with this awesome responsibility," Herrera Beutler said.

But it wasn't just gratitude that the Congress member from Washington's 3rd District had to convey. She offered some unsolicited advice to her colleagues at the Capitol. Herrera Beutler began by reminding members that they will leave office one day and will reflect on what they are proud of from their time in D.C., from bills they passed to standing for what is right.

"But let me tell you what you won't think of: That time you tweeted something that got 10,000 likes; or that time you thought of a really mean, clever thing to say about the other party, or the other team; or those times you told part of the truth, or not all of the truth, and hoped no one would ask you what you really meant. The people who elect us put their faith in us to represent them and we owe them the truth. And times, especially in the heat of the moment, the truth is somewhat the last thing people want to hear, especially if it doesn't fit their narrative. But that doesn't make it any less true and we don't do Americans any favors if we deceive them, or if we stand by quietly as they deceive themselves. Hardcore partisans on both sides will tell you that their party is blameless and the other party is the only one that engages in deception. But the truth is, there are people in both parties who have made an industry of it. I have faith in the American people to eventually put a stop to this, but we here in this body also have a responsibility to the truth. After all, it is the only thing that truly sets us free."

Herrera Beutler was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump. As a result, she faced challenges from her right in the past election. She lost the primary to MAGA Republican Joe Kent who took over the GOP spot on the November ballot. Kent ultimately lost the election to Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, but he has asked for a recount.

Herrera Beutler lives in Battle Ground, Washington. She was elected as a state representative for the 18th Legislative District in 2006. She was then elected to Congress in 2010 and became Washington state's first Hispanic representative in Congress.