Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the 92-year-old dean of the Senate, took to social media on Saturday to announce the end of an era: his family's beloved Hoover vacuum cleaner, affectionately named “Beth” after a former staffer, has been retired after nearly five decades of service.
In a post accompanied by a photo of the appliance with a charred electrical cord, Grassley wrote, “U willl see Beth no more.” He explained that the black marks on the cord were from electrical sparks, making the vacuum unsafe to use. “GOOD BYE BETH . U hv been a real workhorse. Ur namesake still is hard worker. I will miss u,” he added.
The senator followed up with another post calling it a “sad day at Grassley household,” noting that the Hoover had operated “dependably” in his home for 34 years and for 15 years before that at his mother-in-law's residence. The vacuum had become a recurring character in Grassley's social media feeds, often appearing in videos of him cleaning his farmhouse.
One such video from 2023, showing Grassley vacuuming ahead of Thanksgiving, racked up 1.4 million views on X. In that clip, he wrote, “Beth + I are ready & working hard to prepare for Grassley family thxgiving at the farm She never lets me down & im grateful I can count on OLD FAITHFUL.” The post drew playful responses from colleagues, including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who wrote, “We can ALWAYS count on Beth!”
Grassley had acknowledged in a 2022 post that the vacuum was “too old to get repairs,” but he remained optimistic, writing, “With a little care I expect Beth to clean Grassley home for a few more years.” That optimism proved short-lived, as the appliance finally gave out.
The news of Beth's retirement prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fellow lawmakers and X users. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) offered his condolences, writing, “Sorry for your loss. They don't build them like they used to.” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) responded with a dramatic GIF from Star Wars of Luke Skywalker screaming “No!”
Grassley's communications director, Clare Slattery, added a touch of humor to the proceedings, asking the public to “please respect Team Grassley's privacy during this difficult time.” The lighthearted moment offers a rare bipartisan respite from the usual political tensions, as senators from both parties joined in mourning the household appliance.
While the loss of Beth may seem trivial, it underscores Grassley's folksy, everyman persona that has endeared him to Iowans for decades. His social media presence, often featuring his daily walks and farm life, has made him a beloved figure beyond the Beltway. As the Senate prepares for a busy fall, including potential testimony from special counsel Jack Smith, Grassley's tribute to his vacuum serves as a reminder that even in politics, the simple things can bring people together.
