THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF JANUARY 05, 2009

This week marked the beginning of the 111th Congress. The new session begins at a challenging time in our history, but together with the Obama Administration and our Republican colleagues, we will work to address the pressing issues facing our nation. We have already started work on a recovery package aimed at creating jobs and strengthening our economy, and I expect Congress to take action soon.

 

On Thursday, the Electoral College formalized the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. President-Elect Obama has already shown that he's an exceptional leader who will rise to the occasion and I look forward to working with him on the challenges facing our country.

 

Today, the House passed two bills that address pay discrimination in the workplace. All too often, women are cheated out of equal pay which robs them of their right to earn a livelihood, provide for their families, and secure the dignity of their labor. Pay discrimination has an undue impact on every woman in every workplace in America, and passage of this bill marks another step forward in the fight for full equality.

 

The House also passed a resolution in support of Israel. By offering this resolution, we recognize Israel’s right to act in self-defense—the same right claimed by any other sovereign nation when faced with a similar threat.

 

Next week, we expect to bring to the Floor legislation on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that ensures low-income children have access to health care. This legislation, vetoed twice by President Bush, is especially important as families struggle to afford health insurance during this recession.  We also expect to consider a bill to amend the Troubled Asset Relief Program to strengthen accountability, close loopholes, increase transparency, and require foreclosure mitigation is a key component of any future action.

This week, members were sworn in for the beginning of the 111th Congress. Democrats move forward with the same priorities voters supported at the polls in November and aim to work together in a bipartisan manner to meet the challenges of the day.

Read release [3]

Watch Hoyer discuss Congressional agenda on Fox News [4]

Watch Hoyer discuss new Congress and recovery package on Bloomberg [5]



Hoyer Statements on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and Paycheck Fairness Act

Hoyer spoke on the House Floor on Friday in support of "equal pay for equal work." The passage of these bills marks an important step forward in the work for full equality.

Read release on Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act [6]

Watch video [7]

Read release on Paycheck Fairness Act [8]

 

Hoyer: Electoral College Officially Declares Barack Obama 44th President of the United States

On Thursday, the Electoral College formalized the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Read release [9] 

 

Hoyer spoke on the House floor in support of H.Res. 34, recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Read release [10]

Watch video [11]

 

Hoyer: Reforms to House Rules Enable Congress to Work More Effectively

Two years ago, Democrats in Congress vowed to bring integrity and accountability back to the House of Representatives. In keeping with that promise, this week, the House introduced a rules package for the 111th Congress that strengthens that commitment to reform.

Read release [12]

Watch video [13]