Tom Daschle was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978, and reelected three times before running successfully for the U.S. Senate in 1986. Daschle quickly rose to leadership roles within Congress, becoming the Senate Democratic Leader in 1994 and serving in that position until his defeat in 2004. He was the second-longest serving Senate leader in party history.
Daschle's legislative accomplishments include disability compensation for veterans, especially regarding Agent Orange exposure; expanded health, education and housing services on American Indian reservations; and expansion of rural health services.