Hoyer Presses GOP To Move On Jobs Bill

By Janie Amaya

House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) accused Republicans on Tuesday of failing to produce jobs legislation during their first nine months in charge of the House.

Hoyer told reporters during his weekly briefing that action must be taken on President Obama’s American Jobs Act, and argued that Republicans have already voiced support for several elements in the plan.

“Not only have we not moved the jobs bill, there have been no hearings on the jobs bill,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said it was unfortunate that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said yesterday that the bill has zero chance of passing the House.

The Maryland Democrat pointed to forecasts predicting that the jobs package would create nearly two million jobs, cut the unemployment rate by a point on average and increase growth by two percentage points. 

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Hoyer said, “I hope the committee feels the ‘fierce urgency of now’ as the stock market reflects a lack of confidence, as Europe is roiled and as the virus of the lack of confidence in our markets spreads rapidly throughout the world. This is a time of significant moment and hopefully we’re up to the tasks.”

Hoyer: GOP Doesn't Want Obama To Succeed On Jobs

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.”

Bennett's Loss Shows That The GOP Base Is Growing More Hostile, Says Hoyer

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

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters Tuesday that the decision from Utah Republicans to drop incumbent Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) shows that the GOP is moving toward a smaller and more stubborn base.

"I think that the Republican party now has the narrowest base that I have seen … since I have been involved with politics, which has been for over four decades,” Hoyer said. “Their base does not want them to compromise, their base does not want them to sit down with people and discuss alternatives that are possible."

Republicans in Utah cited Bennett's vote in favor of the Troubled Assets Relief Program and his attempt to craft a health care reform compromise with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) as the grounds for their vote. Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater garnered more support than Bennett and will face a primary vote this June.

Hoyer said that this new direction among conservatives will likely alienate more moderate voters.

"I think, ultimately, [this] will not be something the Independents believe is a good thing for our country."