Newsroom
February 26, 2013 — Press Item
Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) announced the creation of the new Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, and that he has appointed Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) to serve as its chair. The Task Force will work to raise the awareness of Members of Congress and the American people about the ongoing crisis of poverty, as well as the need for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate poverty and remove barriers to opportunity that prevent low-income Americans from reaching the middle class.
February 26, 2013 — Press Item
What we ought to do and what we've proposed and what we're going to propose again this week is to make cuts, to have revenues… do it in a way that will not harm the economy but will get to the fiscal discipline that we need.”
February 25, 2013 — Press Item
“I am pleased to join Marcia Fudge, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and my good friend, Steve Horsford, the Gentleman from Nevada, and I noticed that Don Payne is here. His father was a very close friend of mine, active some 45 years ago. So it's good to see you here, Don. Hakeem Jeffries - two of our really great new members - I'm pleased to join you.
February 25, 2013 — Press Item
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have now entered the final week before the dangerous, arbitrary, and irrational policy of sequestration, which Republicans proposed first in their Cut, Cap and Balance bill in July of 2011. If I were the Majority Leader, Mr. Speaker, that policy would not go into effect.
February 26, 2013 — Press Item
Over the last few weeks, there has been no shortage of dire predictions about the harmful impact of the sequester if it goes into effect on Friday, March 1. These reckless and irrational cuts could put our economic recovery and national security at risk. But despite many warnings, Republicans have continued to speak in support of this harmful policy, choosing these irresponsible cuts over a compromise that balances spending cuts with new revenues:
February 22, 2013 — Press Item
"Today, House Republicans have again chosen partisanship over working together by refusing to take up the bipartisan, Senate-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
February 21, 2013 — Press Item
“We need to cut spending, raise revenues and have a balanced program, just as Bowles-Simpson, Domenici-Rivlin, Gang of Six [suggested].
February 19, 2013 — Press Item
“President Obama is right when he warns of the serious consequences to our economy and national security if Congress fails to compromise and prevent the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. Sequestration is an arbitrary, irrational policy that was intended to bring both sides to the table. Unfortunately, House Republicans have refused to bring an alternative to sequestration to the Floor for a vote.
February 15, 2013 — Press Item
“Two weeks from today, if Congress fails to act, the Republican policy – the Republican policy – of sequestration will take effect.
February 15, 2013 — Press Item
“Mr. Speaker, there is not time to debate in the time I have available how we determine federal pay. I was a sponsor of the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act, which [President] George Bush signed back in 1990. I know a little bit about this. But America is confronting a sequestration that will have devastating impact on our economy, on every individual in America and on international confidence in America's ability to manage itself. And what have we spent two days on? A quarter percent cap on cost-of-living adjustment for federal employees. A quarter of a percent.
February 15, 2013 — Press Item
This week, House Republicans are wasting time and taxpayer dollars on yet another bill that targets middle-class federal employees. Instead of working on a comprehensive plan to prevent sequestration and reduce the deficit in a balanced way, Republicans are continuing their attack on the federal workforce by freezing their pay for the third year in a row.
February 15, 2013 — Press Item
“Mr. Speaker, we are on the brink of achieving the Republican policy of sequester.
