Former Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to announce retirement after more than 40 years in Congress

January 8, 2026

Representative Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the former No. 2 Democrat in the chamber who has served for decades, announced his retirement from Congress Thursday.

Hoyer received a standing ovation and chants of "Steny, Steny" as he made his announcement from the floor.

"I rise today with obviously mixed emotions and reluctant conviction," Hoyer, 82, told his House colleagues before announcing that he will not seek reelection.

The congressman is set to retire amid a debate in the party about turning over leadership to a new generation. He cited William Shakespeare as he talked about his decision to end his tenure in Congress after 45 years.

"Shakespeare advised us, 'All this above all else, to thine own self be true. and it must follow as night the day. thou canst not be false to any man or to any woman.' Hoyer said. "In that vein, Mr. Speaker, I have decided not to seek another term in the people's house."

Hoyer spent two decades as Rep. Nancy Pelosi's deputy. Their relationship dates back to the 1960s when they served as congressional interns together, decades before they competed to lead Democrats.

The genteel dean of the Maryland delegation, who helped send billions of federal dollars to his state as an appropriator, was often a key negotiating partner for Republican leaders who maintained better relations with him than the hard-charging Pelosi.

Hoyer, who came to Congress after serving 15 years in the Maryland statehouse, talked about his relationships with other Congress members and reflected on the bipartisan camaraderie they shared.

"I have come to know many good, decent, patriotic members chosen by their neighbors to represent them. They come from both parties and all parts of the ideological spectrum," he said.

However, Hoyer warned about the growing divisiveness in the chamber and urged his members to "examine their conscience, renew their courage," and follow their duties as outlined in the Constitution.

"Only in that way can we ensure our 250 years will be a preface to a brighter and stronger beacon in a free and principled democracy," he said.

Hoyer was embraced and applauded by many Democratic colleagues following his speech.

A few minutes after his speech, Pelosi seized the podium and celebrated Hoyer’s “decency” - turning to address him directly as she heaped praise on her longtime partner in Democratic leadership.

“Steny, you have been a leader to us. You have been a mentor to many. You have been, really, an example of leadership and perhaps can be viewed as one of the most substantial, respected members of Congress in the history of this body,” she said.

Other Democrats also expressed their praise.

"Throughout his incredible tenure in the House of Representatives, Steny made his mark on public policy and on the people who have had the honor to serve alongside him on both sides of the aisle," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement Thursday.

"He has been a mentor and friend to myself and so many Members of the House Democratic Caucus over the years. Steny's profound love for and faith in this institution have unquestionably made," he added.

Many Democrats are now turning to see if 85-year-old Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the longtime No. 3 Democrat on the team, will follow through on plans to run for reelection next year.