WASHINGTON _ U.S. Rep. Jose E. Serrano announced Monday that he has Parkinson's disease and will not seek re-election in 2020.
The 75-year-old said he plans to finish his current term, which is his 15th full one in Congress, as the disease has not yet impacted his ability to work.
"Today, I am announcing that I am living with Parkinson's disease," Serrano, a New York Democrat, said in a statement. "After my diagnosis, I initially planned to continue my work representing the people of the South Bronx far into the future _ a responsibility that brings me great joy. Although this disease has not affected my work in Congress, over the last few months I've come to the realization that Parkinson's will eventually take a toll, and that I cannot predict its rate of advancement. Because of this uncertainty, I do not intend to seek re-election in 2020. I do intend to serve the remainder of my term in the 116th Congress."
Serrano is a senior appropriator who represents New York's 15th District.
