Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Calling on GOP to Take Action On Unemployment Insurance, Payroll Tax Holiday, SGR

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today urging Republicans to work with Democrats on extending emergency unemployment insurance benefits, extending and expanding the payroll tax holiday, and fixing the Medicare physician payment rate. Click here to watch his remarks at this afternoon’s press conference with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“I continue to urge the Republican leadership to work with us to avoid expirations of unemployment insurance benefits, the payroll tax holiday, and the Medicare physician payment rate. Unless we act, millions of Americans who are looking for work will lose the ability to support themselves and their families when unemployment insurance benefits begin expiring at the end of the year.

“Many Americans will also find their take home pay reduced if we do not extend and expand the payroll tax holiday for individuals and small businesses. Yesterday the Senate failed to pass this bill, despite having majority support for it, and on a separate vote a majority of Republicans voted against their own party's alternative. Economists say that an extension and expansion of that tax cut will have a positive effect on jobs and the growth of our economy.

“We must also fix the Medicare physician payment rate to ensure that seniors continue to have access to their doctors. All three of these items are critically important, and I hope Republicans will work with us so that we can take action quickly.”