THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF MARCH 03, 2008

This week, the House passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, an historic bill that will eliminate discriminatory provisions that make it more difficult and more costly for people with mental illnesses to receive treatment.  Approximately 54 million Americans will directly benefit from this long-overdue bill, and hopefully by ensuring equity for costs and treatment limitations will allow more people who need it to seek treatment.

Majority Leader Hoyer speaks at a rally for Mental  Health Parity with David Wellstone, Rep. Jim Ramstad, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Also this week, the House Budget Committee passed a budget resolution that repudiates the President's misguided policies and instead reflects the priorities of the American people. 



The Democratic budget is fiscally responsible, putting an end to the President's damaging policies that have created record deficits and debt.  Our budget rejects the President's cuts to state and local law enforcement, health care, and veterans, and it invests in areas key to America's future, including education, innovation, energy, and infrastructure.  I expect to bring the budget resolution to the Floor next week for a vote.



Also next week, I am hopeful that we will consider legislation modernizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, as well as legislation that will restore the integrity of and bring greater accountability to the ethics enforcement process.

 

Majority Leader Hoyer: February Job Loss Is Further Confirmation of Sagging Bush Economy

After the Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy lost 63,000 jobs in February, Hoyer said that this is confirmation that the Bush Administration's economic policies are failing the American people and are an indication of the hardships facing hard-working families.

Read release [3]

Hoyer: Democratic Budget Resolution a Blueprint for Strengthening Economy, Making America Safer

Hoyer applauded the House Budget Committee for passing a fiscally responsible budget resolution that reflects the priorities of the American people.  The Democratic budget invests in education, energy, innovation, infrastructure, and defense.

Read release [4]

Watch Hoyer on CNBC's Squawk Box [5]



Majority Leader Hoyer Statement on Mental Health Parity

On Wednesday, Hoyer spoke on the House Floor in support of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, a long-overdue measure to end discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illness.

Read release [6]

Watch video [7]