{"id":2512999,"date":"2025-11-20T20:37:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T01:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrat-nydia-velazquez-announces-2026-retirement\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T20:38:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T01:38:15","slug":"house-democrat-nydia-velazquez-announces-2026-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrat-nydia-velazquez-announces-2026-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"House Democrat Nydia Velazquez announces 2026 retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhouse-democrat-nydia-velazquez-announces-2026-retirement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512999&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Nydia Velazquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. Congress, has announced she will retire at the end of her current term in 2026 after more than 30 years of service. Representing New York&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-red-wave-of-conservative-women-elected-to-congress\/\" title=\"The Red Wave of Conservative Women Elected to ...\">7th congressional district<\/a>, which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens, Velazquez reflected on her career and contributions, such as helping confirm Supreme Court Justice Sonia sotomayor and establishing a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >female-owned small business contracting program<\/a>. She emphasized the challenges still facing the country, including threats to civil rights, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-comes-to-washington\/\" title=\"Zelensky Comes to Washington\">growing wealth inequality<\/a>, and the need for new leadership. Velazquez has been a strong advocate for Puerto Rican self-determination and plans to continue supporting the island after leaving Congress. Her retirement adds to a wave of departures from longtime female Democratic representatives,including Nancy Pelosi and Bonnie Watson Coleman.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, announces 2026 retirement<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2409489\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nydia-velazquez\/\">Nydia Vel&aacute;zquez<\/a>&nbsp;(D-NY) is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/retirement\/\">retiring<\/a> from Congress at the end of her term after serving for over three decades in the House.<\/p>\n<p>Vel&aacute;zquez, the first <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/puerto-rico\/\">Puerto Rican<\/a> woman elected to Congress, announced on Thursday that she would not seek reelection in 2026.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3891741\/nancy-mace-bill-strike-hemp-ban\/\">Nancy Mace files legislation to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mace-to-file-legislation-striking-hemp-ban-tucked-into-funding-bill\/\" title=\"Mace to file legislation striking hemp ban tucked into funding bill\">strike hemp ban tucked<\/a> into funding bill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3894398\/speculation-swalwell-governor-announcement-kimmel\/\">Speculation swirls around Swalwell&#8217;s possible governor announcement on Kimmel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3894082\/thune-house-pushback-voting-first-russia-sanctions\/\">Thune faces House pushback to voting first on Russia sanctions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Vel&aacute;zquez said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Serving <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/New-York\/\">New York<\/a>&lsquo;s 7th Congressional District, Vel&aacute;zquez represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Her district voted overwhelmingly for Mayor-elect <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> in the November New York City mayoral election, with the exception of the Williamsburg neighborhood, which largely supported Andrew Cuomo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) holds a protest sign with fellow Democrats as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Win McNamee\/Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;New York&rsquo;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,&rdquo; Vel&aacute;zquez said.<\/p>\n<p>In her retirement statement, Vel&aacute;zquez 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 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/velazquez.house.gov\/media-center\/press-releases\/house-passes-velazquez-women-business-bill\">contracting program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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. &ldquo;Moments like that remind me why I entered public service,&rdquo; Vel&aacute;zquez said.<\/p>\n<p>She said, despite her career achievements, there is &ldquo;still so much work to be done&rdquo; in Congress and that the next generation of leaders is &ldquo;ready for these great challenges&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Vel&aacute;zquez said.<\/p>\n<p>She has also been a consistent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1411185\/puerto-rico-statehood-is-game-of-chicken-between-gop-and-democrats\/\">advocate for<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3860370\/puerto-rico-economic-recovery-at-risk-trump-oversight-board-bondholder-allies\/\">Puerto Rican<\/a> self-determination, along with fellow New Yorker and Puerto Rican colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3878707\/nancy-pelosi-retirement-race-to-fill-democratic-titans-shoes\/\">WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: NANCY PELOSI RETIREMENT SETS OFF RACE TO FILL DEMOCRATIC TITAN&rsquo;S SHOES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Vel&aacute;zquez&rsquo;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&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3877438\/nancy-pelosi-will-not-seek-reelection-2026\/\">Nancy Pelosi<\/a>&nbsp;(D-CA)&nbsp;and Rep.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3881281\/house-democrat-bonnie-watson-coleman-retirement-house\/\">Bonnie Watson Coleman<\/a>&nbsp;(D-NJ).<\/p>\n<p>Vel&aacute;zquez said she is not sure &ldquo;what the next chapter holds,&rdquo; but that advocating Puerto Rico will continue to be a part of that future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican woman in Congress, to retire in 2026 after 30+ years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2513000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AP25064102518081.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[67451,33696,67450],"class_list":["post-2512999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2026-retirement","tag-house-democrat","tag-nydia-velazquez"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AP25064102518081.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512999"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2513003,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512999\/revisions\/2513003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2513000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}