WASHINGTON (NETWORK INDIANA) — Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) gave his final speech on the Senate floor on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

In his farewell address to his colleagues, he touched on some of the many accomplishments that he is proud of in his six years in the upper chamber of Congress. As a freshman senator, he got nearly 40 bills that he authored, or helped author, approved.

He introduced 108 bills during his six years in the upper chamber which, according to the website GovTrack, is the 5th most among all Senate Republicans. 21 of the bills he wrote at least one Democratic co-sponsor.

“I was told when I got here that freshman senators are not to be heard, maybe seen, to sit back and learn the ropes. Well, that wasn;t going to work for me,” Braun said.

Braun was elected governor of Indiana back in November, foregoing what would have likely been a second term in the U.S. Senate.

“I believe in term limits,” Braun said. “So, it was an either-or choice, either run for governor or stay here for another term in the Senate. I’m not going to lose sight of what I have been a part of.”

Braun, who had a reputation for being one of the most fiscally conservative lawmakers on Capitol Hill, continued to hammer home to his fellow senators not to spend more than they bring in from taxpayers. He added that “borrowing money from our kids and grandkids” is not the answer.

He said he is looking forward to continuing his influence in Washington even as governor of Indiana.

“The states have been a laboratory for how you fix things,” he said. “That’s where the innovation is going to come from in the next decade. I am so excited to lead that charge back in Indiana.”