WASHINGTON – Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced Thursday that he’s retiring from Congress, ending his decades-long run in the House that included two four-year terms as Democratic majority leader.
“I rise today with mixed emotions and reluctant conviction,” Hoyer said in remarks on the House floor.
“I have decided not to seek another term in the People’s House.”
The Maryland Democrat, 86, has been in the House since 1981. He is broadly respected by Democrats and Republicans, both of whom cheered for him when he walked onto the House floor. Some chanted, “Steny! Steny! Steny!”
Over the years, he helped build the Democratic majorities under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden that passed some of their signature legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform package, the Inflation Reduction Act and the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which gave Americans cash to help them cope with the pandemic downturn.
