Maryland's 5th congressional district comprises all of Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties (a region known as Southern Maryland), as well as portions of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties.

The district is currently represented by Democrat Steny Hoyer, who from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023 was House Majority Leader.

It consisted of the current Maryland counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester.

He was succeeded by Gladys Spellman, who served from 1975 until the seat was declared vacant by the House due to her falling into a coma in 1980.

Hoyer won a special election that year to complete her term, and has held the seat since.