WASHINGTON (December 12, 2012)--Retiring U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in his final Senate floor speech urged Congress Wednesday to put partisan rancor aside and reach across party lines to break Washington's gridlock.

The Democrat-turned-independent from Connecticut said Wednesday that strong bipartisan leadership is needed to solve the nation's most pressing problems such as the looming fiscal cliff budget crisis.

Lieberman nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with running mate Al Gore in 2000 and mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004.

Lieberman is leaving the Senate in January after 24 years and will be replaced by Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy, who defeated Republican wrestling magnate Linda McMahon in November's election.

Lieberman did not seek re-election and did not endorse either candidate.