Steny Hamilton Hoyer (born June 14, 1939) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district since 1981. He was also a House Majority Leader from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. Hoyer first attained office through a special election on 19 May 1981. As of 2023, he is in his 22nd House term. His district includes a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C. Hoyer is the dean of the Maryland congressional delegation and the most senior Democrat in the House.