Chuck Grassley bids farewell to longtime vacuum cleaner

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced the retirement of "Beth," his longtime Hoover vacuum cleaner, after the appliance became unsafe to use due to electrical sparks.

Grassley, 92, shared the news on social media, noting that the vacuum had been in his household for 34 years and had served his mother-in-law for 15 years prior to that. He described the machine as "a real workhorse" and expressed that it was a "sad day at the Grassley household."

Beth had become a recurring character in Grassley's social media presence, often appearing in posts during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The senator frequently used the vacuum to project a homespun, relatable image. Following the announcement, fellow Republican Senator Tim Scott offered condolences, stating, "They don't build them like they used to."