Family, service, and a break from the ‘s— show’: Lawmakers share what they’re grateful for this Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are taking a moment to reflect on what they are grateful for, revealing a blend of personal gratitude and political relief. In interviews with Fox News Digital, representatives from both parties shared their appreciation for family, time away from the demanding political environment, and cherished traditions. For instance, Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Fla.) expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, saying, “And it’s a real blessing to be able to be here and serve.” Meanwhile, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) humorously noted his eagerness to escape the “s— show” of Washington politics, looking forward to spending Thanksgiving in Massachusetts where he plans to participate in his annual 43-mile walk for a local food bank.
The spirit of Thanksgiving also brought forth reflections on family and personal milestones. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who recently remarried, shared his gratitude for his new life, stating, “I’m very happy. I’m thankful for…17 grandchildren, they’re all healthy, they’re all doing well.” Similarly, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), who will retire in 2026, expressed gratitude for his decade of service, emphasizing his desire to return to his family and be a “man of my own house instead of the man in the people’s house.” This sentiment echoes a broader theme among lawmakers: the importance of family and the need to balance public service with personal life.
In addition to personal reflections, lawmakers also shared their favorite Thanksgiving traditions, highlighting the holiday’s ability to foster connection and joy. Houchin reminisced about a family popsicle stick ornament-making contest, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) mentioned her enjoyment of binge-watching the “Harry Potter” series during the holiday. Hoyer, embracing the culinary aspect of Thanksgiving, proudly identified himself as a “big turkey and gravy guy.” Arrington summed up the festive spirit, stating he looks forward to “eating a lot of food and watching a lot of football.” This blend of personal anecdotes and lighthearted traditions illustrates how Thanksgiving serves as a moment of respite and reflection for those who navigate the complexities of governance, reminding them of the simple joys that come with family and gratitude.
Thanksgiving is a time for people across the country to express gratitude, and it’s no different for those who work on Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers on both sides
of the aisle told Fox News Digital they were grateful for their families, including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Erin Houchin, R-Ind.
“And it’s a real blessing to be able to be here and serve,” Houchin added of her work.
Other lawmakers were excited to simply be out of Washington.
“I’m happy I’ll be in Massachusetts. I’m thankful for that … I’m going to be away from this, you know, s— show that’s been going on here over the last couple of weeks,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
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Asked what he would be doing while home, McGovern said, “I do a 43-mile walk every year for the food bank in Western Massachusetts. So Monday and Tuesday, I’ll be walking 43 miles.”
He joked, “So this may be the last time you see me.”
And some are grateful for newfound family time — like House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who just remarried in June 2023.
“I’m
thankful for a lot of things
. I’ve got a wonderful new wife who I’ll be married to now for two and a half years,” Hoyer said. “My first wife died in ‘97, so I was single for a long time.”
Now, however, he added, “I’m very happy. I’m thankful for, we have 17 grandchildren, they’re all healthy, they’re all doing well.”
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And Arrington, who is retiring from Congress at the end of 2026 after 10 years, told Fox News Digital, “I am thankful for 10 years of an awesome opportunity to serve my country and to leave a legacy of a better future for my children, and now to return to those children to be a man of my own house instead of the man in the people’s house.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said Thanksgiving was a good reminder to practice gratitude in one’s day-to-day life.
“I’m always most
thankful for the blessings
that I’ve received, both for me personally and for my family. I’m just very grateful. It’s an important practice, I think, for everybody, just to always be thankful. Even when things are going bad, you’ve got to try and be thankful all the time. Gratitude is the attitude,” he said.
Asked about her favorite Thanksgiving tradition, Houchin told Fox News Digital, “My
family and I
— we don’t do it anymore — but have a popsicle stick ornament making contest. It was a good time.”
Luna said hers was “binge-watching ‘Harry Potter,’” and Hoyer smiled, “I’m a big turkey and gravy guy.”
“Eat a lot of food and
watch a lot of football
,” Arrington said when asked about what tradition he was most looking forward to this holiday.
