Tom Coburn

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Tom Coburn cast his final vote as a senator Tuesday night, and was the first to flee the chamber floor, returning to the citizen part of "citizen legislator." By Wednesday afternoon he was back in Oklahoma, driving to his home in Muskogee. (Associated Press)

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National Edition News cover for December 9, 2014 - Coburn: Athletes, rappers feast on tax breaks, driving up rates: **FILE** Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican (Associated Press)

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Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, is taking to task those veterans who are abusing the government benefits system. He said veterans' benefit programs need to be streamlined to avoid duplicate payments. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, is retiring at the end of this year after a decade in the Senate, meaning the 239-page, meticulously footnoted volume he's releasing Wednesday will be his last. (Associated Press)

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Waste watcher: "The only way to stop wasteful Washington spending is by shining a light on it whenever and wherever it occurs, even if it is in your own state," says Sen. Tom Coburn, who is releasing his last Wastebook before retiring. (Andrew Harik/The Washington Times)

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National Edition News cover for October 22, 2014 - Coburn issues his final Wastebook: Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), left, listens as Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), right, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill to introduce the Veterans Choice Act, which would provide veterans "with greater flexibility and choice in health care providers and increasing accountability and transparency at the VA, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, June 3, 2014. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Tom Coburn says federal seasonal and temporary workers were included on rosters — thereby sidestepping Obamacare penalties. (Associated Press)

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A GAO report requested by Sen. Tom Coburn found the Pentagon pays more for prescription drugs than does either Medicare or Medicaid. (Associated press)

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Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), pictured, at a press conference with Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz), Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), and Sen. Jeff Flake, (R-Ariz.) on Capitol Hill to introduce the Veterans Choice Act, which would provide veterans "with greater flexibility and choice in health care providers and increasing accountability and transparency at the VA, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, June 3, 2014. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill to introduce the Veterans Choice Act, which would provide veterans "with greater flexibility and choice in health care providers and increasing accountability and transparency at the VA, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, June 3, 2014. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Obama's nominee to become Health and Human Services Secretary, center, is greeted by Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican. Sen. Coburn described her as "competent." (Associated Press)