Hoyer criticizes Republicans at pen and pad session

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) stated that he testified today for full voting rights status for the District of Columbia and said they are going to ask the Supreme Court to fast track it or get it signed by President Obama or ask if it needs to be a consitutional amendment.

Leader Hoyer also had comments about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He said that some have criticized the bill as not enough but twice as much as discretionary spending last year. Asked if it was large enough, Leader Hoyer said "Not sure, you can hear many different opinions."

There will be no earmarks on this bill and when asked about bipartisanship, Leader Hoyer said "Being bi-partisan does not mean lying on the floor and doing whatever they want. The Republicans have taken a political stance against the bill."

Hoyer noted that despite the fact that President Obama was meeting with the Republicans they have told their members to vote against it. He also stated that the Republicans have run up our debt to a weak economy.

He concluded the pad and pen noting that with the bill would come good things. It would bring an increase in science & technology research, pell grants and school modernization. They want to make IDA money more transparent to the American public and offer COBRA subsidies.