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WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2026 – The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) issued a statement thanking longtime labor ally U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., for more than four decades of dedicated service following his announcement that he will retire from the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Steny has been a consistent and trusted ally of the labor movement and the IAM throughout his career,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “He has always had a strong pro-labor voting record. We will miss his support for our IAM Union Local 4 members at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) in Maryland. He always stood strong for their rights and fought for consistent funding throughout his career.”
Hoyer, the longest-serving Democrat in the House, represented Maryland for more than 40 years and was central to advancing pro-worker legislation on Capitol Hill. As House Majority Leader, he helped pass policies that strengthened collective bargaining rights, protected retirement security, expanded access to health care, and invested in U.S. infrastructure and manufacturing.
“Steny Hoyer never forgot where he came from or who he was fighting for,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “He stood with our Maryland members in the Eastern Territory and with working families time and again. His leadership helped deliver real wins for workers across Maryland.”
The IAM’s presence in Maryland and the nation’s capital has long benefited from Hoyer’s advocacy and long tenure.
“Congressman Hoyer has always understood that working people deserve a seat at the table,” said IAM Union National Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon. “His leadership helped advance legislation that protected union jobs, strengthened worker rights, and ensured labor’s voice was heard on Capitol Hill. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his impact will be felt for generations.”
His legacy of solidarity with working families will continue to guide the labor movement’s fight for fairness, dignity and opportunity on the job.
“On behalf of our members in Maryland and Washington, D.C., we thank Congressman Hoyer for his decades of service and unwavering support for working families and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement,” said the IAM Union Maryland/DC State Council President Rick Compher. “He listened to our members, supported our priorities, and consistently fought for good-paying union jobs.”
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
