By Adrianna McGinley
House Republicans are jeopardizing the nation’s economic success and reputation for political purposes, said House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Tuesday.
Hoyer told reporters that he is confident in Congress’s ability to put aside political differences and pass jobs legislation, but warned against the “defeat Obama” attitude coming from some GOP members.
“I call your attention to the stark contrast between Democrats’ response to George Bush at the beginning of this crisis and Republicans’ responses to Barack Obama,” Hoyer said. “The leader in the Senate says his principle objective is to defeat Barrack Obama, what follows is that America needs to fail over the next 14 months, because if America succeeds, if jobs are created, if the economy starts growing, then some will believe that it will be to the political benefit of Barack Obama and the Democrats.”
Hoyer said he supports President Obama’s call for a return to Clinton-era tax rates for the wealthy, and said that everything should be on the table when it comes to job creation and debt reduction.
“No one,” Hoyer said, “if they’re going to be responsible, should preclude any item from being on the table. The magnitude of the challenge that confronts us is great, the consequences of failure are substantial.”
Hoyer said he was extremely pleased that the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy was officially ended today, but said that if Congress cannot pass comprehensive jobs legislation, America’s reputation will suffer in the eyes of its people and the international community.
“America believes that Congress can’t work, that its partisan gridlock undermines its ability to get the job done for the American people,” Hoyer said. “If we do not come to agreement and Americans and the international community see this Congress and this president unable to act effectively in meeting the challenges that confront us, then I think the confidence level at home and abroad will be further diminished.”