Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) is retiring from Congress at the end of her term after serving for over three decades in the House.
Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, announced on Thursday that she would not seek reelection in 2026.
“For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of a lifetime serving the people of New York City in the United States Congress. After much reflection, I have decided that this will be my last term in Congress. This was not an easy decision, but I believe that the time is right for me to move on and for a new generation of leaders to step forward,” Velázquez said in a statement.
Serving New York‘s 7th Congressional District, Velázquez represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Her district voted overwhelmingly for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the November New York City mayoral election, with the exception of the Williamsburg neighborhood, which largely supported Andrew Cuomo.
“New York’s recent mayoral election showed that Americans are hungry for change and determined to build a better future. My district is home to so many dedicated elected officials, community leaders, and activists, and I have complete confidence that NY-7 will remain in good hands,” Velázquez said.
In her retirement statement, Velázquez noted her efforts in helping to galvanize support in Congress to confirm Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and in creating the female-owned small business contracting program.
She also pointed to a moment in 2017 when she joined Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) to free two detained travelers at a New York City airport when the Muslim ban took effect. “Moments like that remind me why I entered public service,” Velázquez said.
She said, despite her career achievements, there is “still so much work to be done” in Congress and that the next generation of leaders is “ready for these great challenges”.
“Our country faces crises on multiple fronts. Every day, the Trump administration is working to undermine civil rights and our democracy. At the same time, the American Dream is slipping further away for working people as wealth inequality worsens and life becomes less affordable. But I believe in the resiliency of the American people and the ability of a new generation of leaders who are ready for these great challenges,” Velázquez said.
She has also been a consistent advocate for Puerto Rican self-determination, along with fellow New Yorker and Puerto Rican colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
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Velázquez’s retirement comes alongside several other notable female representatives who have announced their retirement in recent weeks after serving long tenures in the House, including House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).
Velázquez said she is not sure “what the next chapter holds,” but that advocating Puerto Rico will continue to be a part of that future.
