LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONGRESSWOMAN GRACE NAPOLITANO

Brooklyn, NY – Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano is a trailblazer and a tremendous leader in our Caucus. As the highest-ranking California member of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Congresswoman Napolitano has been a crucial voice for Southern California’s unique conservation and water needs. 

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Congresswoman Napolitano has been one of the strongest voices for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. As the founder and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus, she played an essential role in securing mental health parity in the Affordable Care Act and millions of Americans have benefited from her extraordinary efforts.

For nearly four decades she has served the people of Los Angeles County as a Council Member, Mayor, Assemblymember and Congresswoman. Congresswoman Napolitano has left a remarkable legacy on both the San Gabriel Valley and the Congress and we wish her and her family the best as she prepares for this next chapter.