Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), a trailblazer as the first Puerto Rican woman in Congress, just dropped a bombshell by announcing her retirement at the end of her current term, as the Washington Examiner reports.

After over three decades of service, Velázquez, who represents New York’s 7th Congressional District covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens, declared on Thursday that she won’t seek reelection in 2026, closing a historic chapter in American politics.

Let’s rewind to her start -- Velázquez broke barriers when she first entered Congress, carving a path for Puerto Rican representation on the national stage.

Decades of Advocacy, Impact

During her long tenure, she’s been a fierce advocate for Puerto Rican self-determination, often aligning with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on this front.

She also played a key role in rallying support for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, a move that cemented her influence in shaping judicial history.

Then there’s her work on small business -- Velázquez was instrumental in launching a contracting program for female-owned enterprises, a win for economic empowerment, though some might argue it tilts too far into identity-based policy.

Standing Up in Controversial Moments

Back in 2017, Velázquez teamed up with Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) at a New York City airport to assist two detained travelers during the rollout of the so-called Muslim ban, a policy many conservatives saw as a necessary security measure.

“Moments like that remind me why I entered public service,” Velázquez said, reflecting on the incident. While her heart may have been in the right place, critics could question whether such actions prioritized optics over broader national safety concerns.

Her district, meanwhile, recently showed its political leanings in the New York City mayoral election, overwhelmingly backing Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, except in Williamsburg, where Andrew Cuomo garnered significant support -- a split that hints at diverse local priorities.

Retirement Amid a Changing Guard

Velázquez’s exit isn’t happening in a vacuum; it aligns with a wave of retirements among long-serving female representatives like House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

“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,” Velázquez stated. “After much reflection, I have decided that this will be my last term in Congress.”

She admits the decision wasn’t easy, but insists it’s time for fresh faces to tackle the mess in Washington -- though one wonders if the next crop will lean even further into progressive agendas that often sideline practical governance.

Challenges Ahead and a Notable Legacy

Velázquez didn’t shy away from highlighting the nation’s woes, pointing to threats to civil rights, democracy, wealth inequality, and affordability struggles for working folks -- issues conservatives often frame as exacerbated by overreaching government policies.

While she believes the next generation is ready to face these challenges, her retirement raises questions about whether new leaders will prioritize unity over division, or simply double down on polarizing social experiments.

As for her future, Velázquez remains unsure of her next move but is adamant that advocating for Puerto Rico will stay on her radar -- a commitment that, while admirable, might still stir debate over federal versus territorial priorities.