Hoyer Blasts Early Adjourning Rumors

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer knocked down floating rumors that suggested members of Congress may be leaving Capitol Hill as early as Friday to hit the campaign trail. 

“I don’t know where that report came from and the answer is no,” Hoyer said. “We’re going to be in next week. I don’t want to speculate on dates other than we’re going to be in next week. We want to try to get our work done.”

Hoyer asserted that there are a few things left on Congress’ table that need to be resolved before leaving to their respective states. He reassured reporters that the House will indeed be in session next week and will be focusing on key legislation to incentivize small business hiring and to ensure that Continuing Resolution, a resolution that keeps the government funded beyond the fiscal year, is passed.

The Leader did defend, however, the necessity for members of Congress to return to their home states as elections draw nearer.

“There’s nobody here that doubts that our members, Republicans and Democrats, would like to be in their districts talking to their constituents,” he said. “After all, they have to ask them to be rehired.”

Hoyer Calls For Cuts In Defense Spending

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) addressed the deficit Tuesday morning, and emphasized the need to cut defense spending in addition to creating what he called “budget restraints.”

“Defense spending cannot be above careful scrutiny and analysis,” said the Majority Leader during a conference hosted by the organization Third Way.

He stressed that current levels of defense spending cannot be maintained and that unnecessary weapons systems must be cut. Hoyer stated that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has already asked Congress to discontinue funding for C-17 cargo planes and an additional engine for the F-35 strike fighter.

“I wish more of us in public life were as honest about hard budget choices as Secretary Gates has been,” said Hoyer.

By making these “hard choices,” Majority Leader Hoyer hopes to lessen and ultimately dissolve the deficit so that future generations “have the money and ability to respond in an effective way” to the current disasters and issues facing their country.

“Let us hope they look back on our generation and say ‘they were up to the task.'”

Hoyer Urges Republicans To Support Small Business Fund

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters Tuesday that a $30 billion fund for small business loans currently under consideration in the House would simplify the conditions for small businesses to acquire capital and would increase their ability to hire new employees.

"All of these are designed to get more money in the hands of small businesses, to expand and to create jobs all over the country," said Hoyer.

President Barack Obama outlined the importance of the fund, as well as a number of other spending measures, in a letter sent to Congressional leaders Saturday evening, and described the fund as a "cost-effective [way] of spurring job creation."

Although there has been grumbling on the right that the legislation amounts to a bail out, Hoyer highlighted the fact that small business owners and entrepreneurs support both sides of the aisle and said that Republicans should realize that when Congress votes on the small business legislation this week.

"I hope that the Republicans will come together and support this legislation because there are Republican small businessmen and Democrat small businessmen who are not able to get capital," said Hoyer. "All small businesses are struggling to get capital."

Arizona Immigration Bill Is Wake Up Call For Congress, Says Hoyer

By Sofia Sanchez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that a controversial immigration bill signed into law last week by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was an attempt by that state and its residents to tell Congress that they are tired of waiting for federal action.

With the public wondering how Democrats are going to balance pleasing their Hispanic base, which desires federal immigration reform, with courting voters who support the Arizona bill this upcoming election season, Hoyer acknowledged that doing nothing is not an option for his party.

“We need to keep the border secure, we cannot have porous borders...we can’t have people coming into the United States of America when they are not authorized to do so,” said Hoyer.

The Leader said he would prefer a similar bill to the one that was debated in the Senate in 2007.

“In the last administration, President Bush clearly indicated he thought some sort of comprehensive immigration reform was necessary,” said Hoyer.” I shared that view then and I share it today.”

House Majority Leader Denies Stupak Was Muscled Out By Conservatives

By Sofia Sanchez-University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) denied Tuesday that pro-life Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) was pushed into retirement by Tea Party or Pro-life organizations.


"Bart Stupak is a very courageous member. He wasn't forced out by anybody and he was substantially ahead in the polls," said Hoyer.

Added the Majority Leader, "Do I think that the negative atmosphere that has been created by the tea party and by others certainly goes into the thinking of the members? I think it does," said Hoyer. "I don't think that was the determining factor with respect to Mr. Stupak."

Stupak, who served in Congress for 18 years, announced he would not seek re-election last Friday after becoming a lightning-rod for criticism in the health care debate. Pro-choice advocates charged that an amendment Stupak attempted to include in the legislation to specifically prohibit public funding for abortion restricted women's reproductive rights. Conservatives claimed that a White House executive order sought by Stupak offering a similar guarantee was not strong enough to warrant his eventual support.

Hoyer went on to say that Stupak's retirement is a result of the time spent away from his family and the toll it has taken on them after losing a son to suicide in May, 2000. Hoyer also confirmed that Stupak has been looking at retirement for the past two years.

Hoyer acknowledged the difficult elections facing many House Democrats, but said "I would urge all the members that are here to run and seek re-election."