Press Releases
July 16, 2012
“Today, Republicans voted to block consideration of the DISCLOSE Act, a measure that would provide greater transparency to political financing. This represents a disappointing setback when it comes to ensuring that all Americans have an equal voice in choosing those who serve us in office. The DISCLOSE Act would require the disclosure of donations to organizations engaged in campaign activity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision.
July 16, 2012
“I’m pleased to announce the start of our third annual Member Online All-Star Competition – an online competition between Members of the Democratic Caucus to gain Facebook fans, Twitter followers, and YouTube subscribers. Social media is critical to having an ongoing dialogue with the public, and over the course of the contest, House Democrats will work to engage with even more constituents and get our message out to millions of Americans. Last year’s competition resulted in over 57,000 new fans, followers, and subscribers, and I know this year will be even more successful.”
July 12, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) discussed House Democrats' Make It In America jobs plan and the Republican vote to take away health care protections for millions of Americans on CNN, MSNBC and FOX. See below for excerpts of the interviews and links to the videos.
July 11, 2012
"Recently, attacks on voters' rights in states across the country have threatened one of our most sacred constitutional rights - the ability for citizens to cast a ballot and make their voice heard. I am disheartened by these attempts to limit this right, which generations of Americans have fought to secure.
July 11, 2012
“Millions of people are going to lose protections they now have and insurance companies are going to be put back in charge if this were to become law. But Republicans know this isn’t going to become law – it’s not going to pass the Senate and the President’s not going to sign it. So once again we are spending time… doing things for political purposes, not for policy purposes, and not addressing the creation of jobs which is our number one priority.”
July 11, 2012
“The Republican party continues to pursue its message and not substance. This is the 31st time we've voted on repealing the health care bill and it's the 31st time that it will fail. Everybody knows that the President is committed to it – he’s not going to sign that bill if it passes; but they also know the Senate is not going to pass that bill. It's about politics and not policy. Very frankly, if it passed and if it became law, literally millions of millions of Americans would lose benefits they already have - young people would be kicked off their family's insurance policy; pre-existing conditions would now be used by the insurance company to keep children from getting health care insurance; seniors in the ‘donut hole’ would be again placed in a position where they may not be able to afford prescription drugs they need to keep their life healthy.
July 9, 2012
I commend the President for standing up for middle-class families by calling for Congress to act swiftly in extending the middle-class tax cut. This is an area where Democrats and Republicans ought to be working together. Instead, Republicans have held hostage the prospect of continuing a lower tax rate for middle-class families in return for tax cuts for the wealthy.
July 5, 2012
"With the private sector continuing to create jobs for the twenty-eighth consecutive month, our economic recovery continues to push forward. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning, private businesses added 84,000 jobs in June. However, this is still fewer jobs than we have recently seen created each month, and it is nowhere near where we need to be if we are to ensure quality, well paying jobs for all Americans who seek them.
July 5, 2012
“I commend the Obama Administration for continuing to take a strong approach to enforcing trade rules in response to the unfair import duties China placed on American autos. When American products compete on a level playing field, we win – and our workers win. China is not playing by World Trade Organization rules, and today’s announcement is part of a continuing effort by the President and Congressional Democrats to ensure a level playing field for American workers and manufacturers.
June 29, 2012
“Today the House passed a conference report that will give certainty to millions of students and that will pave the way for jobs and economic growth. This should have been done weeks ago, but instead Republicans took us to the brink of seeing the highway bill expire and student loan interest rates double.
June 29, 2012
“We thought the bill was constitutional. The Supreme Court has said it’s constitutional. It's within our powers and we think the American public can be more secure today than they were yesterday with the assurance that they're going to have access to affordable, quality health care.”
June 28, 2012
“The fact of the matter is what the Supreme Court said today was the health care bill is constitutional. And therefore, Americans are going to have greater confidence that they're going to have access to affordable quality health care. Seniors are going to have prescription drugs they can afford, 26-year-olds or up to 26 will have insurance that they can rely on through their family if they're not employed and have their own insurance, [there] won't be lifetime caps on policies, and … insurance companies won't be in charge of [Americas’] right to get insurance, notwithstanding a pre-existing condition.”
June 28, 2012
Our highest court has weighed in, and its decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a victory for all Americans who have ever worried about being able to access or afford the care they need. Democrats are proud to have worked hard to pass this landmark legislation in 2010 and of our efforts to make sure it is implemented in a way that continues to yield new benefits for patients, employers, and care providers.
June 26, 2012
“I am disappointed that tonight, House Republicans rejected the Senate’s bipartisan transportation bill —despite still lacking a long-term plan of their own. It has been over 100 days since the Senate passed a bipartisan transportation bill, one that continues the long, bipartisan tradition of the parties working together on this legislation. The Senate approved the bipartisan transportation bill by a strong vote of 74-22, with 22 Senate Republicans crossing the aisle to support it. It has been promoted by Chambers of Commerce in cities and counties across America, and highway safety advocates have hailed its new provisions to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. The Senate bill also expedites transportation projects without undermining our clean air laws or legislating on unrelated energy and air quality matters to the detriment of our environment. Furthermore, it leverages federal funding to protect nearly two million jobs and create a million more.
June 25, 2012
“I am very disappointed that the Supreme Court chose today to uphold its earlier Citizens United decision. The consequences of that decision have seen the voices of ordinary citizens drowned out by the unprecedented influence of political organizations wielding tens of millions of dollars from undisclosed donors with unknown agendas. Our democracy relies on the principle of every citizen having an equal voice, and the Citizens United decision undermines that basic tenet.
June 25, 2012
“I am pleased that the decision announced by the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Arizona’s immigration law. It is a clear sign that changes to the way we approach undocumented immigrants must take place at the federal level. Democrats are committed to comprehensive immigration reform, and we will continue to propose solutions that reflect our need for secure borders and the reality that millions of people, including many children who were brought here through no fault of their own, have been living and working in our country for years.
June 22, 2012
“Forty years ago tomorrow, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted to remove barriers to equal opportunity in education and school athletics. This was a milestone that enabled the achievements of the tens of millions of American women who have since participated in the full range of educational and athletic opportunities this country has to offer.
June 20, 2012
“Rep. Lipinski’s bill, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, would bring government, business, and labor stakeholders together to formulate a comprehensive national strategy to attract manufacturing businesses to our shores, help them compete overseas, and encourage them to expand and create well-paying jobs here in our communities. Manufacturing has helped lead our recovery, and America continues to be the world’s leading manufacturer. If we want to build on that trend and remain the global leader in manufacturing, we need a comprehensive strategy like the one this bill would authorize. I commend the House Energy and Commerce Committee for agreeing today to advance this bill to the full House with bipartisan support.
June 20, 2012
“I commend Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee, led by Ranking Member Sandy Levin and joined by Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen, for introducing the Invest in America Now Act. This important legislation extends the bipartisan 100% bonus depreciation deduction that provides businesses with an incentive to invest in new equipment and growing their capacity, which will help create jobs. This extension is paid for by eliminating an unnecessary tax break for the largest oil and gas companies, which have been making record profits.
June 20, 2012
With thousands of construction jobs on the line and businesses in dire need of certainty, House Republicans should not delay passing a surface transportation bill any longer. I commend Rep. Tim Walz for his leadership in introducing a motion requiring House and Senate negotiators to produce a joint version of a bill by this Friday.
June 19, 2012
“On June 19, 1865, when U.S. Army Major Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation to the people of Galveston, Texas, the words fell upon the ears of the despairing and enslaved but settled in the hopeful hearts of free men and women. On that day, a new page was turned in our history, as the last of America’s slaves learned of their emancipation, and the new birth of freedom – of which Abraham Lincoln had spoken – began to stir the dreams of millions eager to take their lives into their own hands.
June 18, 2012
“I am pleased to welcome Tom Mahr and Javier Martinez to my staff,” said Hoyer. “They bring with them to their respective positions years of experience and valuable insight that will help House Democrats develop the best solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges and communicate them to a wide range of constituencies. I look forward to working with them both.”
June 18, 2012
As we return from the ninth full week of recess since the 112th Congress reconvened in January, House Republicans continue to pursue an extreme agenda that ignores our challenges of creating jobs and furthering our economic recovery. We have only twenty-four legislative days remaining before August’s five-week district work period. Furthermore, the House is only scheduled to be in session for eight legislative days in September and a mere five in October.
June 15, 2012
Today’s decision to defer deportation action against young people who were brought here by undocumented parents but have been raised here in our country is an important step in the right direction. This will help ensure that hard-working, eager, and talented individuals who came here not of their own choice, and who are contributing to our economy and our defense, can remain here and continue to be part of building a strong future for America.
June 14, 2012
Today, we heard President Obama lay out a plan for America’s economic future to provide businesses with certainty, to create jobs for the middle class, and to pay down our debt. The American people understand what’s at stake this year: the progress of our economic recovery and the potential for a new generation of prosperity. The path laid out by the President is the right way to further our recovery, as demonstrated by the success of our auto industry after Democrats took action to prevent automakers from going bankrupt.
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Latest From the House Floor
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Last votes expected: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
H.R. 1062 – “SEC Regulatory Accountability Act”