Hoyer Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Jan Schakowsky

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement after U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) announced that she will not run for re-election in 2026:

"I am sorry to hear my dear friend Rep. Jan Schakowsky has decided to depart the House of Representatives at the end of the 119th Congress. Over the past 26 years, she has consistently delivered results to better the lives of her constituents and her fellow citizens across the country. Because of Jan's record of accomplishment, I have no doubt that the people of Illinois' 9th district would have selected her to be their voice in Washington again, as they did 14 times before. That she decided not to run is a great loss for the Congress and the country. 

"From the Affordable Care Act to many of the historic bills we passed in the 117th Congress, Jan was integral to some of the most significant legislative achievements of the past quarter century. As one of our Chief Deputy Whips, she worked tirelessly to help unite our Caucus around solutions to some of our nation's most pressing issues. She is a longstanding champion for organized labor, for our nation's seniors, and for consumer advocacy – a record which predates her time in Congress. 

"Jan's success as a legislator is built on her integrity, intellect, and kindness as a person. Sadly, those values have become harder and harder to come by in American politics today – and so too have leaders like Jan. I thank her for her decades of service and wish her, her husband Bob, and their family well as this chapter comes to a close."