By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Rep. Steny Hoyer will not seek another term in the U.S. House of Representatives, ending a congressional career that began in 1981 and made him the longest-serving Democrat in the chamber and the longest-serving lawmaker in Maryland history.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries marked the announcement with a statement Wednesday that framed Hoyer’s departure as a defining moment for the institution itself, citing a record built on legislative discipline, loyalty to the House, and a belief that Congress must function as a working instrument of democracy.
Over nearly 45 years, Hoyer rose through every level of Democratic leadership, serving twice as House Majority Leader and later as a central figure guiding the caucus through closely divided chambers. Jeffries pointed to Hoyer’s role in shaping major legislation that altered daily life for millions, including the Help America Vote Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA, which marked its 35th anniversary this year, was described as a cornerstone of Hoyer’s legacy, a bipartisan civil rights law that expanded access, independence, and opportunity for Americans with disabilities.
Jeffries also emphasized that Hoyer’s national influence never displaced his focus on Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District. Throughout his tenure, Hoyer helped create and protect tens of thousands of jobs by securing and defending federal facilities and research centers, fought for environmental protections tied to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and directed billions in federal investment toward transportation, public safety, and constituent services.
Hoyer, now 86, confirmed his decision in an interview published late Wednesday, saying he chose to step aside before age diminished his effectiveness. “I did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed and outstayed his or her ability to do the job,” he said.
The move had been quietly anticipated months earlier. In November, Washington Informer reporter Anthony Tilghman reported that Hoyer was already weighing whether to run again. “To be clear, this is not public knowledge yet,” Tilghman wrote in a Nov. 6 text message. “He did comment on Nancy Pelosi, but a staff member told me that he’s considering not running.”
As Hoyer prepared to announce his decision on the House floor, Jeffries placed the moment within the continuum of service rather than politics. “Steny’s storied service in the People’s House has changed millions of lives for the better,” Jeffries said, “and his profound love for this institution has made it a stronger vehicle for making life better for everyday Americans.”