Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer announced Thursday he will retire from Congress at the end of this year, telling colleagues from both political parties in a floor speech he made the decision with “mixed emotion and reluctant conviction.”
Hoyer, who was first elected in 1981 and later became majority leader, joins the dozens of members who have announced they will not seek reelection this November.
Hoyer said there is still considerable work he wants to accomplish during the remainder of his term, while cautioning lawmakers against heightened partisanship.
“I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founders’ goal,” Hoyer said. “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.”
Hoyer, 86, expressed concern the U.S. reputation among allied nations has eroded, in part because lawmakers and political leaders have stepped back from core ideals.
“I fear that America is heading not toward greatness but towards smallness, pettiness, divisiveness, loneliness and disdainfulness,” Hoyer said. “We must respect and love one another. We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we are great, but because we are just, generous and fair.”
Standing ovation, hugs, handshakes
The House chamber is normally empty at the start of the day, when lawmakers are able to give floor speeches on any topic they wish, before members move on to debate and pass legislation.
That was not the case for Hoyer’s speech. About 75 lawmakers rose to give him a standing ovation before he began speaking and embraced him with hugs and handshakes after he formally announced his upcoming retirement.
House Democratic leaders, Republican Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Republican Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic members of Maryland’s congressional delegation and former Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin all gathered to listen to Hoyer.
A couple dozen members of Hoyer’s family, including his wife, children and grandchildren, watched from the gallery overlooking the House floor.
Terp, lawyer, state senator, congressman, leader
Hoyer graduated from the University of Maryland in 1963 before receiving his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1966.
He went into private practice but also ran and was elected to the Maryland state Senate in 1966. He was the chamber’s president from 1975 through 1979.
Hoyer served as a member of the Maryland state board for higher education from 1978 through 1981.
He was elected to the 97th Congress by special election in 1981 and represents Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, which covers part or all of several counties in the southern region of the state, including Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
Hoyer took on several leadership roles throughout the 45 years he’s been in the chamber.
He was chairman of the House Democratic Caucus before becoming the party’s whip and ultimately the majority leader. He stepped back from leadership three years ago at the same time Pelosi stepped aside.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York succeeded Pelosi as the top Democrat in the chamber, while Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark became the whip, following Hoyer as the second-highest-ranking Democrat.
The two watched as Hoyer reflected on his career during the nine-minute speech, telling those gathered in the chamber they are “extraordinary, decent people” who are only members of Congress because people from their communities thought they were up to the job.
“The only way you got here was your neighbors said they wanted you to represent them,” Hoyer said. “With tremendous gratitude, I yield back.”
