Several Jewish organizations praised Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) after the longtime congressman announced his retirement on Jan. 8, highlighting his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Hoyer, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1981 and is currently the chamber’s longest-serving Democrat, stated on the House floor that he will not be seeking re-election when his term expires next year, according to his office.
“I make this decision with sadness, for I love this House, an institution the framers designed to reflect the will of the American people and to serve as the guardian of their liberty and their democracy,” he said.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee stated that Hoyer is “one of the most principled champions of the U.S.-Israel alliance to ever serve in Congress.”
“His unwavering commitment to building bipartisan support for Israel’s security, leadership on dozens of congressional delegations to Israel and moral clarity in defending this partnership have made an impact that will be felt for generations to come,” AIPAC wrote.
The Anti-Defamation League expressed “deep gratitude” for Hoyer’s “decades of principled leadership.”
“Rep. Hoyer’s moral clarity, commitment to bipartisanship and unwavering work to confront antisemitism, alongside his steadfast support for the U.S.–Israel relationship and the Jewish community more broadly, have made a lasting difference,” the ADL wrote.
The American Jewish Committee similarly stated that Hoyer “has been a steadfast friend of the Jewish people and tireless advocate for the State of Israel.”
“AJC has been honored to call him a trusted partner and to collaborate with him throughout his decades of principled leadership and unwavering commitment to the security and values of the U.S.,” the organization wrote, adding that it wished him “a fulfilling and peaceful retirement.”
Brian Romick, president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, stated that he worked with Hoyer for almost 30 years, beginning as a 19-year-old campaign volunteer and later serving as Hoyer’s deputy chief of staff during his tenure as House majority leader.
“I helped him lead 12 congressional delegations there, ensuring that members of Congress learned not just about the important strategic relationship between the United States and Israel, but also about the miracle of Israel’s very existence,” Romick wrote.
He added that Hoyer “worked relentlessly to ensure Israel had the resources it needed to defend itself by itself and fought back against attempts to undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
“Our country, the Democratic Party and the pro-Israel movement are all in a better place today because of his service,” Romick stated.
