U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Democrat who has represented Maryland’s 5th congressional district for nearly 45 years, announced on Thursday that he will retire after the end of his current and 23rd term. “I make this decision with sadness, for I love this House, an institution the framers des igned to reflect the will of the American people and to serve as the guardian of their liberty and their democracy,” Hoyer told his colleagues from the House floor Thursday. Hoyer said the Congress he first entered in 1981, though not without conflict, was a space where “most Republicans and Democrats worked together in a collegial, productive way.” Today, however, Hoyer said he is “deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founders’ goals.” “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands,” he said. “Only in that way can we ensure that our 250 years will be a preface to a stronger, brighter beacon in a free and principled democracy; a nation of laws, not of men; a nation respected around the world for its strength, certainly, but even more for the ideals it represents and the justice with which it acts.” The ideals that the nation has aspired to are in a precarious position at present, Hoyer said. “I fear that America is heading not toward greatness, but towards smallness, pettiness, divisiveness, lawlessness, and disdainfulness,” he said. “We must respect and love one another. We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we’re great, but because we are just, generous, and fair.” Hoyer shared the moment that changed his career trajectory and propelled him into a life of public service. After nearly flunking out of the University of Maryland College Park and failing to enroll in the 1958 fall semester, Hoyer re-enrolled for the spring of 1959. The walk to spring convocation was his “road to Damascus,” Hoyer said, because waiting for him and his fellow students was their guest speaker: then-senator John F. Kennedy. “In his remarks, he urged us to do our duty in those days of world chaos,” Hoyer recalled, his voice trembling with emotion. “In particular, he charged us students to become more active in our communities.” One week later, Hoyer switched his major from business to political science. In 1966, five months after graduating from Georgetown Law School, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate. And in 1981, the voters of Maryland’s Fifth District first elected him to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. They would return him to the Congress 22 more times. Hoyer thanked his many supporters over his nearly six decades of public service in total. “Thank you so much, my late wife, Judy, who died too young and gave so much,” he said. “My beloved daughters, Susan, Stephanie, and Anne, who paid a price for dad’s absences. To my grandchildren and great-grandchildren for giving me great joy. My mother, who thankfully lived to see her son become the president of the Maryland State Senate.” He continued, “To my staff for serving me and their nation with great loyalty and ability. To my colleagues for trusting me with leadership. To the people of Prince George’s County, particularly the African American community, without whom I would not have won my elections. To the people of the Fifth District, who gave me a majority of their votes 23 times. And to my wife, Dr. Elaine Kamarck, who has made my life whole and happy. Thank you, babe. And to God for sending me down this road so many years ago that I call the road to Damascus.” “I want to thank all of my colleagues, extraordinary people, decent people, people whom their neighbors respect and sent them here. The only way you got here was your neighbors said they wanted you to represent them. Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, with tremendous gratitude, I yield back.” In a joint statement, Maryland Democratic Party Chair Steuart Pittman and Vice Chair Dr. Charlene Dukes thanked Hoyer for his contributions to Maryland and the nation. “We thank Leader Hoyer for 58 years of public service to the people of Maryland and our country,” they said. “His accomplishments in the Maryland General Assembly and the United States Congress are well-known, but the work he has done behind the scenes to uplift candidates and to grow the Democratic Party are just as legendary. Pittman and Dukes added that the Democratic party’s strength in Maryland is much to the credit of Hoyer’s work. “Maryland is a solidly blue state because Steny Hoyer built the reputation of the Democratic party, stepped up whenever the chips were down, stayed true to working families, and delivered results,” they said. “He spotted talent and cultivated it, over and over again. We will be spending a lot of time in the coming weeks and months studying the Hoyer legacy, and building from it. And we’ll keep on seeking his wise counsel.” Hoyer, 83, is one of the oldest members of the House. His retirement announcement comes amid an ongoing push by some Maryland Democrats for younger representation in Congress. Already, five Democrats have filed their candidacy for the 5th Congressional District seat: Quincy Bareebe; Elldwnia English; Terry Antonio Jackson, 2nd; Harry Jarin; and Tracy Starr. The primary election will take place June 23, 2026. ...read more read less