On Saturday, RedState reported on the sad announcement from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) regarding the "passing" of his beloved 49-year-old vacuum, Beth, who apparently bit the dust - quite literally - which caused a little bit of a problem with her electrical cord:
U willl see Beth no more See black that’s from electrical sparks. It’s not safe to use anymore. GOOD BYE BETH . U hv been a real workhorse. Ur namesake still is hard worker. I will miss u pic.twitter.com/Zu5dAtDyvZ
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) August 8, 2026
Grassley, who had provided occasional updates about the status of Beth on social media over the last several years, including around the holidays, added that "It’s a sad day at Grassley household…. For my 34 years and 15 yrs before that at my mother in law’s home Beth has worked dependably…."
Beth was named after Beth Pellett Levine, a former longtime aide to Grassley who worked in various roles, including as press secretary.
READ MORE: RIP to an American Workhorse: Chuck Grassley’s Famous Vacuum, Beth, Dies After 49 Years
In an update to this story, it turns out that Beth was so well-known and legendary that she earned an actual obituary from The New York Times:
.@ChuckGrassley’s vacuum cleaner Beth got an NYT obit pic.twitter.com/axu28gtHTe
— Grace Panetta (@grace_panetta) August 9, 2026
From the write-up:
At roughly 49, Beth had been at work since before Mr. Grassley, a corn and soybean farmer, reached the Senate in 1981. The vacuum was also older than several U.S. senators.
[...]
Beth had, by any measure, an extraordinarily long life for an upright vacuum cleaner. A typical vacuum might last for eight years, according to Consumer Reports, though life spans vary by brand.
Hoover says that its upright vacuums last eight years on average, and that its cordless vacuums are good for about five years on average.
Techtronic Industries, which owns Hoover, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Beth’s demise.
“Techtronic Industries, which owns Hoover, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Beth’s demise.” pic.twitter.com/hguTN9lEgO
— Grace Panetta (@grace_panetta) August 9, 2026
George Washington University law school professor Jonathan Turley also had a cute tribute:
My deepest condolences to Sen. Chuck Grassley over the loss of his 80's-era Hoover, Beth. https://t.co/TLa1PnHn9I It appears that the sparks flying in the Senate hearings were enough for Grassley. Fortunately, there remains an abundance of dirt bags for Grassley to push around.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 9, 2026
"For those asking, Beth was a Hoover Concept Two Electronic upright vacuum model. Of course, there is only one honor in Washington befitting an over 50-year career fighting waste without overruns or succumbing to dirt. RIP Beth, a grateful nation salutes you," Turley added.
Grassley's announcement also sparked a conversation some of us often have among family and friends about how so many older things were just made better than some of the products put out on the market today. Around our house, for instance, we typically go by the classic mantra, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it or replace it," but there have been a few exceptions to that rule.
Relatedly, there was this from thefactualprep on X: "I am glad a Republican vacuum cleaner gets a good obit from the liberal press. This is progress."
Fair point.
Update - Grassley has shared he's now the owner of a newer but used model Hoover vac:
The American ppl are so caring. I hv offer of a used Hoover fr a good Iowan in Sioux City. IT WONT SURPRISE ANYBODY BUT I ACCEPTED. BETH IS BACK BUT NEWER MODEL
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) August 9, 2026
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