Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Leah Valencia - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) chided Republican leadership Monday, claiming the minority party has acted irresponsibly by using obstructionism to slow down the legislative process.

“No one expects Republicans to roll over for President Obama," Hoyer said during his remarks at The Center for American Progress. "But the ‘Party of No’ strategy is so disappointing because the history of Congress is full of loyal oppositions that shared responsibility for governing in trying times and shaped some of the most important legislation of their eras."

The Majority Leader said using such tactics lessens the overall effectiveness of Congress, saying that in the Senate the use of filibuster has turned from a rare tool “of passionate oppostiton” into a “routine hurdle." Hoyer added that 70 percent of all major bills face filibuster tactics as compared to only eight percent in the 1960's and 70's.

"The hard choices that are being forced on our country demand engagement from both parties," Hoyer said. “It is almost impossible for one party to take them on alone.”

Hoyer noted past Republican legislative work on Medicare and Social Security bills to demonstrate the merit of bipartisan partnership.

"It is not asking too much for today’s Republicans to rise to those examples," he said. "The history of constructive minorities shows how much more we should expect and demand of them."

The Leader said he would welcome Republicans into debates on today’s key issues such as health care and climate change for the good of constituents nationwide.

“It's easy to say that Democrats actually want extremism to be the face of the opposition...that we would be happy for the 'Party of No' to keep saying no, but that's not true.” Hoyer said. “When we say no to the work of legislating, we do real harm to the institution of Congress and our nation's future."