Published in RINewsToday on January 12, 2026

 According to Ballotpedia’s tracker of incumbents not seeking re-election in 2026, 20 House lawmakers are retiring at the end of this Congress, 17 of whom are age 50 or older. Last week, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), a long-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his retirement and now joins Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)—all of whom served in House leadership and have announced their decisions not to seek another term—in departing Capitol Hill.

On Jan. 8th Hoyer addressed the House chamber announcing to his colleagues of his plans to retire. Choking up at times during his remarks, he reflected on his 45 years of serving his constituents and expressed concern about the direction of the House.

He began his remarks by looking back at a pivotal moment in 1959 when he attended University of Maryland at College Park, that would push him into public service —hearing John F. Kennedy speak at a spring convocation.  A week later after Kennedy’s speech the young college student would change his major from business to political science.  Looking back, Hoyer noted that this two hour encounter led to a 60-year career in public service.

Hoyer, who has held top Democratic leadership positions including House Majority Leader, reflected on his nearly 45 years in the House, contrasting the collegial, bipartisan atmosphere when he first arrived in 1981, under the leaders of Rep. Tip O’Neill (D-MA) and Rep. Bob Michael (R-IL)  with the current state of divisiveness and partisan bickering.

The Maryland Congressman, representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District, expressed concern that the House was failing to meet its constitutional responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands and warned that the nation was heading towards “smallness” and “pettiness.” He concluded by calling on his colleagues to work together to pass appropriation bills in a bipartisan, timely fashion to keep the government open, thanking his family and colleagues, and reaffirming his gratitude for his long, productive career.

Taking a Look at Aging and Health Care Issues   

While serving as House Majority Leader, Hoyer played a key role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by overseeing debates, managing Democratic floor strategy and building public support. The ACA expanded access to affordable health insurance, prohibited denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowed young adults to stay on parents’ plans to age 26, and greatly expanded preventive services coverage.

Hoyer would steer the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to overwhelming final approval in the lower chamber by negotiating legislative language in the bill and building bipartisan consensus.  This landmark legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, prohibited discrimination based on disability and greatly expanded accessibility in employment, public service, transportation, and places of public accommodation for millions of disabled Americans.

Eighteen years later, he would lead the House efforts to pass the ADA Amendments Act, which strengthened and clarified the original law’s protections to ensure that it would be broadly as intended, benefiting millions of Americans with disabilities.

The long-time Congressman has been a strong defender of Social Security and Medicare, tirelessly opposing privatization and advocating long-term solvency to ensure benefits for current and future retirees. He supported funding and modernization efforts that improve Medicare efficiency and access to providers for seniors.

Hoyer also helped to bring major health care-related legislation to the House floor during the pandemic.  He successfully pushed for passage The American Rescue Plan, that would fund COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic health responses and that now has lowered prescription drug costs of some medications.

Hoyer also hosted events and roundtables highlighting mental health care investments (like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), reflecting ongoing engagement with health challenges affecting adults and seniors.

Kudos from Legislative Colleagues and Friends

Former Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin, now Distinguished Chair of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, remembers working alongside Steny Hoyer in Congress. “He was a good friend and respected colleague, but my relationship with him actually began before I was even sworn in,” he says. “He was an original author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which opened doors for people with disabilities and empowered me to run for office.”

“When I was elected, Steny worked tirelessly to ensure I had the resources and accommodations I needed to transition to Washington and succeed as the first quadriplegic member of Congress. For Steny, accessibility was personal. I always knew that whatever I needed, Steny would make it happen. His departure from the House is a great loss for the institution, but I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” adds Langevin.

Rhode Island’s junior Congressman Gabe Amo also praised Hoyer’s service. “Steny Hoyer has been a steadfast champion of Marylanders and the American people, serving our country and Congress with integrity and conviction,” says Amo. “He was one of the first calls I received after I won the 2023 special election, and he welcomed me with open arms when I arrived in Congress.”

Amo considered Hoyer a trusted mentor who helped guide him as a newly elected member. “He always celebrated the wins we secured for Rhode Island—especially the infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” he notes.

According to Amo, Hoyer frequently mentioned his Rhode Island ties, sharing fond memories of his law school classmate, former Warwick Mayor Joe Walsh, and his long-time friend Congressman Langevin. “Steny is a stalwart public servant, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. He will be deeply missed in the halls of Congress,” Amo says.

Rep. Seth Magaziner offered similar praise. “Steny Hoyer is not only a congressional legend with many legislative accomplishments, he is a living reminder that politics does not have to be partisan and uncivil. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with him,” says Magaziner.

Robert “Bob” Blancato, President of Matzo, Blancato and Associates who served as former Staff Director of the House Aging Committees’ Subcommittee on Human Services, calls Hoyer one of the strongest Democratic leaders of the past 45 years. “During his time as Majority Leader, he stewarded landmark legislation—such as the Affordable Care Act—through the House and later its final passage through Congress,” he notes.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he helped ensure aging programs received priority funding even in difficult times. He was a gentleman legislator, and his level of service in Congress will be hard to duplicate,” says Blancato.

Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and former staff director of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, views Hoyer as a committed advocate for older Americans. “Steny has always been very accessible to the seniors’ advocacy community. He kept an open mind on the issues we care about. I have known him a very long time and personally liked him. He will be missed.”

Looking back, when President George W. Bush declared his intention to privatize Social Security after his re-election in 2004, Steny brought advocates together for regular strategy sessions to protect the program, says Richtman. “He united the advocacy community and helped orchestrate the defeat of Bush’s privatization plan. That’s a prime example of the leadership Steny provided,” he says.

Like Richtman, Robert Weiner, former Staff Director of the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging, recognized Hoyer’s effort to stop the privatization of Social Security — and helped in the regaining of the House majority as a result.  “During his time in Democratic House leadership, he never lost a bill he scheduled or brought to the floor for a vote,” says Weiner.

Weiner, who served with Hoyer as national officer in Young Democrats in the 70’s, remembers  Hoyer chairing weekly meetings with committee members and issue leaders to gauge party sentiments and anticipate votes, shaping House agendas. “At his recent birthday “Bull Roast” he invited me to, Hoyer discussed “bringing bills to the floor,” setting calendars, and securing votes. His foresight — and passionate House floor speeches — consistently assured favorable results.

The end of a 60-year career in public service with a dedication to senior friendly issues will keep his memory strong in Congress.