Press Releases
May 9, 2012
Perhaps the only silver lining to the Great Recession is that it triggered a new focus on manufacturing in the United States. After 25 years of being sold a shiny vision of a service-dominated post-industrial economy, the U.S. is rediscovering how important it is to actually make things in order to spur innovation, raise wages, drive exports and lower the trade deficit.
May 8, 2012
Over two decades ago the first President Bush signed into law the bipartisan and historic Americans with Disabilities Act. I was proud to sponsor that legislation and have worked over the last 20 years to make sure that it was effective and strengthened.
May 8, 2012
I was disappointed that Senate Republicans today voted to block a bill that would keep student loan interest rates low for another year. If Congress fails to act by July 1, the interest rates on student loans for 7.4 million Americans will double. We cannot allow this to happen. I strongly urge Republicans to get serious about keeping student loan interest rates low, and I hope they will work with Democrats to address this issue before the July 1 deadline arrives that includes a pay-for acceptable to both sides.
May 8, 2012
Today, the President called on Congress to take concrete steps that will help American businesses create jobs that won’t be shipped overseas. It is very unfortunate that Republicans in control of the House have chosen to shirk their responsibilities by refusing to consider a comprehensive plan for growing jobs. Moreover, after a year in the majority, they continue to block Democrats’ Make It In America jobs plan.
May 7, 2012
When I was a student at Suitland High School, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, I had a teacher who left a lasting impression on me. Ms. Jane Dumire was a young, energetic, and inspiring teacher of journalism and English. As such, she served as the advisor to the school paper, and as a junior I was the editor of its sports page. She was also advisor to the yearbook, for which I was the editor in my senior year.
May 4, 2012
Throughout this weekend, Americans from all backgrounds come together to celebrate the 150th Cinco de Mayo. On May 5, 1862, outnumbered Mexicans heroically defeated invading French forces and preserved their independence at the Battle of Puebla. On Cinco de Mayo, we join together to remember that victory and celebrate the close relationship between Mexico and the United States. We also honor the contributions Mexican Americans have made to our national life in every area, including business, medicine, culture, education, workers’ rights, government, and military service. I am proud to mark this 150th Cinco de Mayo, and I join in celebrating the Mexican American community and all it has done to make the United States a stronger, more vibrant, and more prosperous country.
May 4, 2012
"With our economy continuing to add jobs in April, the twenty-sixth consecutive month of private sector job growth, our economic recovery keeps moving forward. I am encouraged that the unemployment rate has fallen further and is now at 8.1%, down significantly from its peak during the worst of the recession...
May 4, 2012
The agreement reached today to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank ends the uncertainty so many of our businesses have faced as the deadline for Congress to act approaches. I am glad that Democrats and Republicans were able to come together to provide the Export-Import Bank with the tools it needs to assist American exporters and help them compete in the global marketplace.
May 1, 2012
"Our men and women in uniform continue to carry out their mission in Afghanistan with distinction and courage. Because of their service and sacrifice, Al Qaeda and the Taliban are seriously weakened and on the run, and the Afghan people have been able to take significant steps toward assuming control over their own security...
May 1, 2012
Throughout the month of May, we celebrate the long history of the Jewish community in this country and the many contributions its members have made to building America, defending its freedom, and enriching our national life. For over 350 years, since the first Jewish immigrants found refuge on our shores, the American Jewish community has played an important and significant role, drawing on the ancient Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam – “repairing the world” – helping to make our union a more perfect one in each generation. We are particularly grateful for the many Jewish Americans serving in uniform in Afghanistan and around the world, and we also salute the daily work of Jewish organizations in communities from coast to coast that bring food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and comfort to the sick.
May 1, 2012
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of a diverse community. These include a storied history of military service and countless achievements in science, education, business, sports, and the arts. The Asian Pacific American community brings something unique and important to the American story, and I join in celebrating its contributions throughout the month of May as we mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May we continue to be enriched as a nation thanks to our Asian and Pacific Islander American communities for generations to come.
April 26, 2012
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House passed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act:
April 26, 2012
As someone who was proud to cosponsor the original Violence Against Women Act in 1994, I commend the Senate for taking action to reauthorize this landmark legislation. The Senate bill, which contains provisions strongly supported by law enforcement and advocates for victims of domestic violence, passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 68-31, while a substitute amendment that would have imposed barriers to services for certain groups of victims failed. It is now up to the House to act on this bipartisan bill.
April 26, 2012
“People want to see Congress work. They have seen gridlock. They have seen the fact that the Republicans are a deeply divided party within themselves. They can't pass a highway bill that Speaker Boehner made his principle priority over the last two months. So I think when the Speaker is saying one-in-three [chance of losing the House], you can bet that he's trying to low ball that. He knows he has a big challenge. He does have a big challenge. We have some 64 districts in which we have very, very good challengers. Many of those they have outraised incumbent Republicans. They are doing well in the polls. I think we're going to take back the House. I think the American people are going to want to see change from gridlock.”
April 26, 2012
House Republicans are reversing course after clearly feeling pressure to take action to maintain student loan interest rates at 3.4 percent for another year. However, I believe there are ways we could do so without eliminating important public health funding, such as ending unnecessary subsidies for big oil companies making record profits.
April 25, 2012
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer discussed politics and the need for a balanced deficit reduction plan on Politico Live today.
April 25, 2012
Sixty four years ago, the State of Israel was born from the hope of generations and from the ashes of the greatest tragedy to befall the Jewish people. Today, Israel has achieved a thriving economy, a strong national defense, and an important role as a member of the community of nations. Its existence itself is a powerful symbol of the Jewish people’s resolve never again to allow the persecution of its sons and daughters.
April 25, 2012
After months of pursuing a partisan highway bill that went nowhere, I am pleased my Republican colleagues have finally moved to go to conference on a highway bill. The bipartisan Senate compromise bill passed with a vote of 74-22 over a month ago and ought to serve as the basis for any bill reported out by the conferees. We must come together quickly and pass a final bill in order to create economic opportunities and prevent the loss of thousands of construction jobs at a time when that industry has been hit hard by the recession. I continue to urge Republicans to embrace the compromise Senate bill so we can make real progress toward advancing our recovery and investing in our long-term competitiveness.
April 23, 2012
Today’s report by the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees demonstrates that both programs will continue to serve seniors and disabled Americans who rely on them well into the next decade. Because of the Affordable Care Act, which took significant steps to strengthen Medicare through cost savings and reforms that will improve quality and efficiency, the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund was extended by eight years. Further, as evidenced by a report released this morning by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act has also translated into savings and lower costs for Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers that will total $200 billion in savings through 2016. However, Congress must do more, and it has an obligation to protect Social Security and Medicare to ensure they remain strong for generations to come.
April 20, 2012
Once a year, we pause to commemorate Earth Day and reflect on the importance of protecting of our environment and preserving it for the enjoyment of future generations. Earth Day has inspired in us a greater conscientiousness of how our actions affect the planet, from the cars we drive to the benefits of recycling. Working together with the Obama Administration, Democrats in Congress have enacted the toughest fuel economy standards in history and have taken significant steps to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. We have also worked to reduce pollution, protect our air and water, and serve as responsible stewards of all of our America’s natural wonders, from the sparkling Chesapeake Bay to California’s majestic Redwoods.
April 19, 2012
For over six decades, people throughout the world have paused on this day to reflect and remember the tragedy of the Holocaust. More than any other day, Yom HaShoah compels each of us to consider the nature of evil so that we may strive toward goodness.
April 18, 2012
Last month, the Senate passed a long-term transportation bill with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 74-22. Instead of following their lead and getting serious about compromise, Speaker Boehner and House Republicans have been unable to coalesce around a long-term plan of their own, potentially placing 2 million jobs at risk.
April 17, 2012
In announcing new steps today to crack down on price manipulation and to increase oversight of the oil market, President Obama is continuing his pursuit of an all-of-the-above strategy to combat rising gasoline prices. Among the steps laid out by the President this morning is ensuring that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has all the resources it needs to prevent illegal market manipulation. Doing so will contribute to our long-term energy security and help reduce costs to consumers. Yet, House Republicans passed a budget that slashes funding for the CFTC.
April 17, 2012
Today, on Equal Pay Day, we pause to consider that to earn the same wages as a man in 2011, a woman would have had to work from January 1, 2011 until April 17, 2012. It should be unacceptable in America today that women still earn only 77 cents to the dollar of a man’s wages for the same job. This is why Democrats enacted the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009 – the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama – and it’s why we continue to push for measures that will close the gender gap in wages and bring greater economic opportunities for women. It’s also why I am proud to be a co-sponsor, along with 177 other Democratic Members of Congress, of the Paycheck Fairness Act.
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Latest From the House Floor
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Last votes expected: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
H.R. 1911 – Making College More Expensive Act