Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) announced he will not seek re-election next year:

“For more than 32 years, I have had the honor of serving the people of New York in the United States Congress. Today, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election next year and that this term in Congress will be my last. This decision has not been easy. But I know in my heart it is the right one and that it is the right time to pass the torch to a new generation.

“When I step down at the end of this term, I will have served for 50 years in continuous elected public service to the people of New York.

“I look back with great pride on all that I’ve been able to accomplish in Congress. As Chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 2019 through 2022, I’m grateful I had the opportunity to help lead our party’s efforts to preserve the rule of law and to provide for a more just society that respects the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans. That leadership includes impeaching Donald Trump twice– first for abuse of power and obstruction of justice and second for inciting an insurrection against the American people.

“I am proud of the principled progressive legislation we passed on voting rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ2+ rights, immigration and gun safety. From the Equality Act to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to the Protecting Our Kids Act, to the Dream Act – legislation that I championed helped move the country forward.

“I delivered billions of dollars for key NYC transportation priorities as a member on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, including key funding to complete the Second Avenue Subway project and begin work on the Gateway Program. I helped secure funding to rebuild the Highline, transform Penn Station, extend the 7 line to the far west side and renovate numerous subway stations. And in the aftermath of the horrific 9/11 attacks, I fought to secure $20 billion for recovery efforts, led the hearings that exposed the EPA’s lies about Lower Manhattan’s air quality, and co-authored the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to provide support to first responders and survivors.

“More recently, in the face of growing threats to civil rights and liberties from the Supreme Court, I wrote and secured the enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act to codify marriage equality.  I have fought back against the growing antisemitism in America, speaking out against hateful rhetoric and providing direct funding to protect vulnerable non-profit institutions.

“And I am proud of the thousands of votes I have taken over the years to help pass the Affordable Care Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and of the role I played to approve the Iran nuclear deal to prevent their development of nuclear weapons. I am equally proud of some legislation that I voted against – including the USA PATRIOT Act, the resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq, and more recently, President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill.

“I am incredibly grateful to the people of Manhattan, and Brooklyn, who have given me the great privilege of representing them for so many years. I am also grateful beyond words to my incredible staff, past and present, who have helped shape and make possible all that I’ve accomplished in office. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the advocacy groups and activists who have been key partners in so many difficult and important fights—from Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NARAL (Reproductive Freedom for All) and the League of Conservation Voters to the Working Families Party and all my friends in labor. And I am so lucky to have had the love and support of my family; my wife, Joyce, and my son, Michael, who have sacrificed in countless ways to make my service in Congress possible.

“I don’t know what the future beyond 2026 holds, but I plan to stay fully engaged in the community that is my home and in the causes that I’ve championed throughout my life. My plans for the next sixteen months, however, are clear. I will continue to give everything I have to defend our democracy, protect our institutions, and fight for the values that as Americans and New Yorkers we share.”