Rep. Peter King, one of Long Island’s most high-profile elected officials in a generation, is spending his last days in office.

King, 76, is known for his feistiness and his outspoken nature throughout his long political career.

“Sometimes you just wake up in the morning and say, ‘it’s the right time,’” says King.

King launched his career at Hempstead Town Hall in 1977 as a town councilman. King held town and county elected positions before he was elected to Congress in 1992.

The congressman became nationally known after the 9/11 attacks. He became chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. That assignment led to one of the biggest controversies of his career when he drew ire from the Muslim community for holding a hearing on what he called the threat our country was facing by the radicalization of Muslim Americans.

King says the current political climate is exhausting. He says the bitter rancor in the country almost makes compromise impossible.

“Ronald Reagan was probably the most conservative president we've ever had and Tip O'Neill the most liberal speaker,” says King. “Yet they always worked things out, even on Social Security which is the third rail of issues. I don't think even they could do it today.”

King and his wife Rosemary have lived in Seaford for 53 years. He leaves office next week and is ready to spend more time with his family and travel.