Longtime U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York is stepping aside.
In 1992, Velázquez became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress. She announced on Thursday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, effectively culminating more than three decades of legislative service in the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker, who represents New York’s 7th District which includes portions of Brooklyn and Queens, said in a statement that leaving next year is the “right” move and allows “for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”
“I grew up in a small town of sugar cane fields in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico,” Velázquez said. “My family did not have much. Nine children in a wooden house. Politics in Washington felt a world away. If you had told that little girl she would one day be the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, she would never have believed it.
“As a teenager, I came to New York to pursue a master’s degree, and this city changed my life forever. New York took me in, welcomed me, and presented opportunities I never thought possible. I fell in love with its energy and with the people who make this city what it is. In New York, I found my voice, discovered my purpose, and dedicated myself to the fight for justice and opportunity. There is truly no city like it in the world.”
Her departure reshapes the outlook for veterans, military families, and her native Puerto Rico. Her work in Congress on veteran health, small business contracting, and disaster resilience has had national security and readiness implications.
A Fierce Advocate for Veterans, Service Families
Velázquez pushed legislation tied to veterans’ care and military family support.
She introduced the Blast Exposure Protection Act, focused on expanding health care for veterans suffering hearing loss and injuries linked to blast exposure. Her office also maintained a dedicated military and veterans resources page, offering support tied to deployments, education and family stability.
As the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, Velázquez worked to expand federal contracting access for veteran-owned companies. That work continues to shape today’s landscape for veteran entrepreneurs navigating federal programs.
“I worked to expand access to capital and open doors in the federal marketplace for women, minorities and veterans,” Velázquez said. “One of my proudest accomplishments was creating the Women-Owned Small Business contracting program, which became law in 2001 and has helped thousands of women entrepreneurs get ahead.”
Puerto Rico, Security and Military Readiness
Velázquez’s roots in Puerto Rico gave her direct insight into military housing, disaster resilience, and the needs of National Guard members and reservists on the island. She repeatedly pushed for federal investments tied to long-term stability and infrastructure improvements needed by military families.
Puerto Rico’s strategic position in the Caribbean keeps it tied to defense planning and regional security. That reality is already on display, with recent military activity on the island underscoring Puerto Rico’s continuing role in U.S. readiness, regional security and force posture.
“I have always sought to be a consistent voice for peace in Washington,” Velázquez said. “I was proud of my opposition to the war in Iraq and other interventions during the Global War on Terror. In 2023, I was one of 13 House members to call for an immediate ceasefire in the horrific war in Gaza.”
The Future Open Seat
Her exit will open New York’s heavily Democratic 7th District, which spans northeast Brooklyn and western Queens.
Velázquez’s future replacement will influence issues vital to military and veteran communities, including federal contracting pathways for veteran-owned businesses; housing and support services for military families; and infrastructure funding tied to Puerto Rico.
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