Press Releases

The history of America is the history of advancing civil rights, and this is the next step in that journey. By hearing these cases, the Supreme Court has the opportunity to ensure that every family is treated equally under the law. I am confident that the Supreme Court will rule that discrimination has no place in this nation, and will further the cause of civil rights for years to come.

In a sign of continuing progress in our recovery, the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning shows that our economy added 147,000 private sector jobs in November, causing the unemployment rate to drop to 7.7%.  With thirty-three consecutive months of private sector job growth, more Americans are getting back to work.  However, despite this month's strong gains, too many remain unemployed, and we have work left to do to solidify our economic recovery. 

Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) traveled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-6) to visit Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York, which experienced significant damage from Hurricane Sandy. During the tour, Col. Kent Savre, Commander of the North Atlantic Division of the Corps of Engineers, and Col. Trey Jordan, head of the Corps’ New York Recovery Field Office and Commander of the Baltimore District, briefed Whip Hoyer and Congressman Meeks on the extent of damage and recovery efforts.

When I say everything needs to be on the table… I want everybody to put their cards on the table and tell me what they’re going to do. … Now there’s some things we are absolutely not going to do… we’re not going to voucherize Medicare, we are not going to privatize Social Security. We believe very strongly that we need additional revenues if we’re going to get our country on a fiscally sound basis.

Today, I signed the discharge petition filed by Rep. Tim Walz that would bring to the Floor an extension of tax cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of small businesses.  These middle class tax cuts were extended by the Senate in July, and the House ought to take action immediately to provide certainty to families and small businesses that their taxes won’t go up on January 1. 

Tomorrow, on World AIDS Day, we renew our commitment to fighting this terrible disease and helping to improve the lives of those millions affected by HIV-AIDS worldwide.  Together, the United States and other nations have made great advances in treating HIV-AIDS and raising awareness about how to prevent infection.  Our commitment to research and the discovery of advances has not waned, and we must not rest until HIV-AIDS no longer threatens communities here in America and around the world.                                                      

“Everybody believes we ought not to go off the cliff. Sequester is not a good idea, and if we went off the cliff it would have substantial adverse effects on the economy. Nobody wants to go over the cliff including, in my opinion, [Speaker] John Boehner. However, we ought not to hold hostage middle-class tax cuts.”

Today, the full Senate is considering the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a landmark treaty that will strengthen the rights and freedoms of individuals with disabilities throughout the world – and which was reported favorably by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July.  The Disabilities Convention draws heavily on the Americans with Disabilities Act, which Congress passed in 1990 with broad bipartisan support, and the Convention has already been championed by an array of leaders from both parties.  Its ratification will send a strong message that the United States is committed to the human rights, equal opportunity, and full inclusion of all who live with disabilities in our country and every other.  I was proud to have helped lead the effort, along with former Rep. Tony Coelho and others, to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act, and I join in calling on the Senate to agree to the Convention’s swift ratification.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator Warren Rudman this week. Our nation has lost an extraordinary man of integrity who often worked across the aisle in order to address our country’s most pressing challenges. Throughout his career, he was committed to fiscal responsibility and worked with both parties to make the tough choices necessary to bring down our deficits and balance the budget. As we work to restore fiscal responsibility, Rudman’s legacy serves as an important reminder of what we can accomplish when we put country before party and work together to confront our budget challenges. I join in mourning his passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

Israel, like all sovereign nations, has a fundamental duty to its citizens to defend their lives and their property.  For years now, Israel has endured thousands of rocket attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.  These attacks have targeted civilian areas throughout Southern Israel  - and today even reached as far north as the outskirts of Tel Aviv.  As long as this terrorist organization continues to avoid disarming, abiding by past agreements, or recognizing Israel’s right to exist, it will continue to be isolated by the international community and be the cause of further hardship for the Palestinian civilians who suffer at its hands. 

"Over the past few days, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of my colleagues, and I appreciate the support I’ve received from them to remain Democratic Whip. I look forward to working with Leader Pelosi as we keep our Caucus united and continue our efforts to return to the majority. Democrats will work to find common ground where we can so that we can create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and pursue responsible deficit reduction and fiscal balance. As Democratic Whip, I will continue to work with all the Members of our Caucus to get things done for the American people."

“I join in saluting the men and women who have served our nation in uniform.  Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the courage and dedication of those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect American lives and the values we hold dear.  In particular, we honor our men and women who have recently returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and we rededicate ourselves to making sure they can transition smoothly back to civilian life and receive the care they need to heal any wounds they sustained – both physical and psychological.