IN THE NEWS

HOYER STATEMENT ON THE NEW FISCAL YEAR

WASHINGTON – House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement in observation of the start of the new fiscal year:

“Today marks the beginning of the 2004 fiscal year and only 3 of the 13 spending bills have made their way to the president’s desk – which makes it clearer than ever that the extreme, partisan agenda pursued by the members of the Republican Congress has resulted in a stalemate of their own making.

“After much talk about their ability to ‘get the job done’ with a majority in the House and the Senate, and control of the White House, they have not gotten the job done. Instead, Congress is hamstrung by Republican strife and stonewalling. With plenty of work left on major bills such as energy and a Medicare prescription drug benefit, there is no end in sight.

“In addition to glaring legislative difficulties, Republicans also have to face the consequences of their failed economic policies.  As job losses continue to mount and consumer confidence nosedives, it is disturbingly obvious that the Republican plans to reenergize the economy have not worked. Democrats are calling on Republicans to focus on American’s priorities in a bipartisan fashion during the new fiscal year, end the impasse and get the job done.” 

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