Sen. Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement following U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s announcement that he will resign from the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Congressman Abercrombie’s announcement is a surprise and leaves us a vote shy in the House at a time when major policy changes like health-care reform, a war spending measure, the Akaka Bill and others are shaping up for debate and passage. However, I accept the Congressman’s decision and I thank him for his 10 terms of service in the U.S. Congress. I wish him well.”