WASHINGTON — Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the longest-serving Democrat in Congress and a central figure in House leadership for decades, will announce Thursday that he plans to retire at the end of his term.

Hoyer, 86, is set to deliver a speech on the House floor outlining his decision, bringing to a close a career that spanned more than four decades and included some of the most consequential legislative battles of the modern era.

First elected to Congress in 1981 after a special election, Hoyer rose steadily through Democratic ranks to become majority leader and later the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat. He worked closely — and at times competitively — with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn, forming a leadership trio that guided Democrats through landmark achievements such as the Affordable Care Act and major infrastructure and economic legislation.

Beyond domestic policy, Hoyer became known as one of Capitol Hill’s most consistent voices in support of Israel. A longtime advocate of the U.S.–Israel alliance, he backed bipartisan security assistance for the Jewish state, opposed efforts to condition military aid and repeatedly condemned antisemitism at home and abroad. Colleagues from both parties often cited him as a steady bridge between pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans during periods of growing polarization over Middle East policy.

As Democrats worked to regain control of the House during President Donald Trump’s first term, Hoyer also sought to broaden the party’s appeal to working-class voters, promoting what he called a “Make It in America” agenda focused on manufacturing and job growth.

His retirement comes as a wave of senior lawmakers from both parties step aside ahead of the midterm elections, opening the door to a generational shift in Congress. Hoyer follows Pelosi, who announced earlier that she would also leave office at the end of her term.

In a brief message on social media ahead of his speech, Hoyer signaled the significance of the moment: “Tune in.”

With his departure, Democrats will lose not only one of their longest-serving members but also a leader whose influence shaped both domestic policy and the party’s long-standing approach to Israel and U.S. foreign relations.

Jooish News

Jooish News