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THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF JULY 14, 2008

by Stacey Farnen Bernards

July 18, 2008

Leader's Report
majorityleader.house.gov · (202) 225-3130
  
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER
This week, Democrats continued to work on solutions to address the energy crisis facing our nation, while Republicans played politics.  Democrats brought the DRILL Act, a bill to increase the domestic supply of oil, to the House Floor on Thursday.  This bill included provisions that would increase drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, ban the export of Alaskan oil to foreign nations, speed up the completion of Alaskan oil and gas pipelines, and compel oil companies to drill on the leases they have, or lose the lease to that land.  Republicans say they support drilling more in order to bring down record high gas prices.  The DRILL Act did just that, and yet Republicans chose to oppose it. 

Also this week, the House and Senate overwhelmingly overrode President Bush's misguided veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.  This legislation stops a looming pay cut for doctors in Medicare, extends expiring provisions critical to rural communities, expands the preventative services available to seniors, and phases mental health parity into the program.  Democrats and Republicans stood together to protect and preserve the health care so needed by millions of seniors and military families.

Next week, the House will consider housing legislation to protect local economies and help millions of Americans stay in their homes.  We will also consider the Global AIDS bill that will fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act.  We may bring additional energy legislation to the Floor as well.
 
Sincerely yours,
Steny H. Hoyer
STENY H. HOYER

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MAJORITY NEWS UPDATE
Majority Leader Hoyer Statement on the DRILL Act
Hoyer spoke on the House Floor on Thursday in support of legislation to increase the domestic supply of oil - legislation Republicans claimed they wanted, but refused to vote for.
Read release
Watch video
More on energy:

Hoyer Statement on Medicare Veto Override
On Tuesday the House overrode the President's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.  Hoyer said that preventing cuts to Medicare is critical to preserving the health care that over 44 million seniors count on.
Read release
Watch video

Hoyer Statement on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Following Secretary Paulson's proposals to ensure that the government is prepared to assist Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if necessary, Hoyer pledged that he would work to ensure timely consideration of those measures in addition to housing legislation that will help millions of Americans keep their homes.
Read release
Watch Hoyer on CNBC's "Squawkbox" discussing housing legislation in Congress

Hoyer Applauds Passage of Intelligence Authorization Bill
Hoyer praised House passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act on Wednesday and said that it will strengthen our intelligence community's capabilities and increase our security.
Read release 
  



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