Hoyer Remarks on Continuing Resolution, Syria Amendment

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon to discuss the continuing resolution to fund the government, the Title 10 amendment to address the President’s request to train and equip moderates in Syria, and reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:

Click here for the video.

“I thank the Gentleman [Ranking Member Adam Smith] for yielding. I thank the Gentleman for his leadership. I thank [Chairman Buck] McKeon for his leadership. We will see today a bipartisan action, a bipartisan action on behalf of America, on behalf of its security, and on behalf of our international partners in confronting terrorism.

“Madam Speaker, today the House is fulfilling one of its most important responsibilities – to protect our national security and defend our interests overseas. Among those interests is to prevent the dangerous ISIL terrorist group from spreading and threatening American personnel, our allies, and innocent civilians. The amendment before us will authorize the President to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition to degrade and destroy ISIL in Iraq and Syria. No sanctuaries, no place to hide. ISIL is already threatening Americans and our allies in the Middle East and Europe, and, if left unchecked, it will surely threaten us here at home.

“This amendment is Congress' opportunity to demonstrate unity in support of the President's strategy and provide him with the authorization he needs to help train and equip our regional partners to go on the offense against ISIL. ISIL has already murdered captured soldiers, innocent civilians, journalists – including, of course, two Americans – and members of religious communities targeted for their faith. They are no more than a collection of criminal terrorists bent on imposing their fanatical objectives on others by force, violence, and barbarism. ISIL constitutes a dual threat. They pose a counterterrorism threat to the United States and our regional partners, and they represent a destabilizing force in the region.

“Madam Speaker, we cannot ignore the challenge that ISIL presents to America and to the world. There is no question that there will be challenges, but we know empirically that the cost of doing nothing is far too great. The President was right to wait until a government had been formed in Iraq that is ready to move forward against ISIL. Americans do not want American men and women on the ground, but Americans do want ISIL confronted.

“Congress has an important role to play in this effort, and this amendment ought to be a strong and clear message to the world that the American people, through their elected representatives, will join those in the region to prevent the terrorist group ISIL from running rampant across the Middle East. It is a message to our allies and regional partners that our nation is prepared to train and equip those who are working to stop ISIL's advance. It is a message to the world that we are united in our resolve to meet this threat.

“We, clearly, may have differences on this House Floor, but we are Americans when it comes to defending our people and our country.

“Madam Speaker, with regard to the underlying bill, the Continuing Resolution, let me make some brief comments.  House Republicans have chosen not to repeat their government shutdown from last year. I think they're making a wise decision. 

“There are things I would change in this bill, just as I know there are things my friends on the Republican side would change in this bill. That's compromise. That's the legislative process. That's what our Founding Fathers envisioned. That, in fact, is governing.

“I am hopeful that this Continuing Resolution will give Congress the time it needs to complete work on appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2015 and that meets our obligations to the American people and to America's future. We need a budget that embraces fiscal sustainability while investing in job growth and competitiveness so that we can grow our middle class.

“While it's important that Congress moves forward with this 72-day funding bill, I’m disappointed, Madam Speaker, that we're not extending the Export-Import Bank's charter for multiple years. Not doing so is another example of undermining our competitive position for the world and the confidence of our job-creators. As CNBC pointed out last week: ‘At first glance it might seem like a Congressional deal to extend the Export-Import Bank's charter through June would be good news for the beleaguered institution, which supports American exports with loan guarantees and other credit assistance.  In fact,’ CNBC posits, ‘it is the exact opposite.  An extension to June could be a death sentence for the Bank.’ I sincerely pray it is not.

“Congress has a responsibility to make sure the Bank's charter is extended beyond June. We need a multi-year reauthorization along the lines of the one proposed by Chairwoman Waters and Rep. Denny Heck – actually, it's Ranking Member Waters. The Export-Import Bank is instrumental in helping small businesses access foreign markets, and uncertainty over its future has already cost American businesses lucrative trade deals. I urge us, between now and June, to come together in a bipartisan way to move forward with legislation that achieves this goal. I believe that if the House is allowed to vote we will achieve that objective as we have in the past.

“While I oppose this provision, I will vote for the amendment and for final passage of the Continuing Resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I think it's in the best interest of America, the best interest of our national security, and I urge this House to act in a way that will make our constituents proud and safer.”