Press Releases

“President Obama made it clear today that we need a long-term, big and balanced solution to deficits in order to turn off the looming sequester – reiterating the position he and Democrats have taken as we’ve faced our fiscal challenges. By indicating that he would accept a short-term agreement to delay the sequester through spending cuts and revenues, should a more comprehensive solution not be reached by the end of this month, the President demonstrated once again that he is ready to put country first and do what is necessary to avert economic disaster and allow time for Congress to work through its annual budget process. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, led a bipartisan coalition of congressional champions of immigration reform and civil rights in re-introducing the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jared Polis (D-CO), David Cicilline (D-RI), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mark Takano (D-CA), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

“Today’s report by the Institute for Supply Management reaffirms the strength of America’s manufacturing sector and its potential to keep growing and creating well paying jobs.  This first report of 2013 shows that manufacturing continues to expand, helping to grow our overall economy for the 44th month in a row. 

“I am disappointed that our GDP has contracted for the first time since 2009.  We ought not to be very surprised, though, as House Republicans’ preoccupation with partisan games has led to Congressional inaction that has created uncertainty for businesses and markets.  Today’s news is further proof that we must resolve the differences that have so far kept Congress from reaching a big and balanced deal to reduce deficits, replace the sequester, instill certainty in our economy, and invest in creating new jobs.  House Democrats are ready to do what it takes to reduce our deficits in a balanced way and to invest in growing our economy, and I hope Republicans will set partisanship aside and work with us to achieve these goals.” 

“I join in thanking my friend Secretary Ray LaHood for his leadership of the Transportation Department during President Obama’s first term.  I was privileged to have served with him during the fourteen years he represented Illinois’ 18th District in Congress. Throughout his time in public service, Ray has consistently put policy before politics, and has worked in a bipartisan way on behalf of his community, his state, and our country. 

"Today, with a strong, bipartisan vote of 62-36, the Senate joined the House in helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Though I hoped Congress would have acted earlier, the passage of this legislation, now headed to the President for his signature, will provide much-needed assistance to the communities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and other states hit hard by the storm.  Residents of these areas face significant ongoing challenges and are struggling to rebuild.  I look forward to seeing this bill signed swiftly into law."

"I was saddened to learn that Senator Harkin will be retiring at the close of the 113th Congress. He has been a tireless advocate for Iowa families and for opportunities for all Americans in his nearly four decades on Capitol Hill.

“I’m pleased by Secretary Panetta's announcement, in conjunction with the Joint Chiefs' decision, that women will be allowed to serve in combat roles. This is a long awaited change in policy, and reflects the fact that women have courageously served in our armed forces for years. As I said when the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy was repealed, our military is made stronger when it welcomes the service of all brave Americans willing to fight for their country. This is another step toward a fully inclusive military, and our nation will be better for it.”

Today, Rep. John Lewis (GA-5), House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5), Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (SC-6), Rep. John Conyers (MI-13), and Rep. Robert Brady (PA-1) reintroduced the Voter Empowerment Act in the House of Representatives.  Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York introduced a companion version in the Senate.  The Voter Empowerment Act will help ensure equal access to the ballot for every eligible voter, will modernize our voter registration system to help more Americans participate, and takes steps to eliminate deceptive practices and voter fraud that deter voters from casting their ballots. 

I join in thanking Secretary Ken Salazar for his service and leadership over the past four years.  Under his stewardship, the Department of the Interior made enormous progress in the areas of natural resources conservation, federal land use management, and expanding opportunities for Native Americans.  I was proud to have worked closely with him as Congress and the Administration completed work on the Cobell settlement to see justice served for Native American tribes whose trust assets were improperly managed.  I also had the pleasure of working with Ken in 2009 to pass the most significant land conservation legislation in fifteen years, which set aside 2 million new acres of wilderness, established three new national parks, protected 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, and designated the Baltimore Heritage Area in my home state of Maryland.  Ken has been a faithful public servant and a voice for America’s rural communities, and I wish him well in his next endeavors.

“President Obama is right that there ought not be a debate over whether the United States should pay the bills it has already incurred.  While the American people expect Democrats and Republicans to meet in good faith at the negotiating table to achieve a big and balanced solution to the challenge of deficit reduction, they will not tolerate any party playing partisan games with a possible default and further downgrade of our credit.  America must live up to its obligations while seeking a more disciplined fiscal future.  Democrats look forward to playing a positive role in this process in the weeks ahead.”