Press Releases
February 13, 2013
“Thank you very much Madam Leader. I am pleased to be here with all of you.
February 12, 2013
“In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a bold plan to invest in manufacturing and create well paying jobs.
February 12, 2013
This evening, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) welcomed his State of the Union guests to the U.S. Capitol.
February 12, 2013
"Today, the Senate once again passed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act with a strong bipartisan vote of 78-22, and it is now up to the House to follow suit.
February 12, 2013
“I certainly think that we need to encourage business growth in our country, manufacturing in our country.
February 11, 2013
“Today’s announcement by the Department of Defense that certain benefits are being extended to same-sex partners of military personnel is an important step in the right direction.
February 8, 2013
I am pleased the Obama Administration is proposing to reestablish the principle of pay parity between military personnel and federal civilian employees, which is a recognition of the critical contributions that both groups make to the defense and well being of our nation.
February 8, 2013
At this year’s issues conference, House Democrats discussed the challenges facing our economy, how to reduce gun violence, the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and ways to protect Americans’ voting rights.
February 7, 2013
"I was pleased to stand with my colleagues today in support of common-sense, comprehensive policy recommendations that will help reduce gun violence while respecting the Constitutional rights of responsible gun-owners.
February 7, 2013
The Postal Service’s announcement that it will end Saturday delivery of mail underscores the need for the House to get serious about comprehensive reform that puts the U.S. Postal Service on a long-term, fiscally sustainable path.
February 6, 2013
“I am extremely disappointed that once again Republicans are proposing to delay sequestration by solely targeting middle-class federal employees, rather than working with Democrats on a comprehensive solution to reduce the deficit and replace the sequester. These hard working Americans have already contributed $103 billion towards deficit reduction, yet Republicans continue to single them out and place the burden of deficit reduction solely on their shoulders. From defending our nation to promoting the safety and well-being of Americans, federal workers provide countless services to our country. It is simply unfair and unwise to target America’s public servants after they have already accepted a two-year pay freeze, an increased pension contribution, and a reduction and delay of a cost-of-living-adjustment this year.
February 6, 2013
“I continue to believe that we need a big and balanced solution to our deficits, which is what we should be working on rather than partisan gimmicks like the bill on the House Floor today. I voted for an amendment to that bill by Reps. Schrader, Wolf, Cooper, and Gibson, which reiterated the importance of a balanced framework for deficit reduction that includes both revenues and spending cuts, like the one put forward by the Bowles-Simpson commission. While I do not support every item proposed by that commission, I firmly support the need for deficit reduction that is balanced, and does not occur on the backs of the most vulnerable.”
February 5, 2013
“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.
February 5, 2013
“The annual Budget and Economic Outlook released today by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office shows us how far we have come toward restoring fiscal discipline and strengthening our economy, while also reminding us that more work remains ahead. Importantly, it makes clear that the best way forward is a big and balanced solution that sets us on a sound path for the future.
February 5, 2013
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).
February 1, 2013
“Today marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to reflect on the countless contributions African-Americans have made in making the promise of America the practice of America. Having recently marked the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, we recalled the struggle of those who worked to bring freedom to millions suffering the injustices of slavery. We also remembered the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fifty years ago shared a vision of brotherhood that caused the walls raised by a century of Jim Crow to crumble.
February 1, 2013
“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.
February 1, 2013
“The jobs report released this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us what we already know: our recovery continues, but there is more Congress must do to help the private sector create job opportunities. With 166,000 private sector jobs added in January, more Americans are getting back to work. Yet too much uncertainty about America’s finances and our ability to invest for the future still makes it difficult for the private sector to expand and create jobs that pay well and grow our middle class.
January 30, 2013
“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.”
January 29, 2013
“President Obama has stated clearly that comprehensive immigration reform will be a top priority during his second term, and today he took an important step by laying out a smart, workable, and fair vision for how we can achieve this long-sought goal through legislation. Taken together with an announcement by a bipartisan group of Senators that they intend to pursue a comprehensive reform bill over the next few months, it is an encouraging sign that the challenge of how to address the millions of undocumented people living in our communities may soon be met with the serious and cooperative approach this issue deserves.
January 29, 2013
“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.
January 29, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) today announced that Stephanie L. Young will be joining his leadership office as Press Secretary. She joins Communications Director Katie Grant and Maryland Press Secretary Mariel Saez in serving as a spokesperson for Whip Hoyer.
January 28, 2013
"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."
January 28, 2013
"Fixing our immigration system remains one of America's most pressing challenges, one that impacts our economy and the very foundation of the American Dream. I agree that we must approach this issue in a comprehensive way that both secures our borders and allows those who are already here a fair path to apply for citizenship. This is especially true for the many who came here as children, through no fault of their own, and seek to be a part of building our country's future.
January 28, 2013
"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.
