Congress Recognizes 20th Anniversary Of ADA

By Alexa Gitler - Talk Radio News Service

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) joined with several other members Monday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. 

“The ADA has broken down barriers, created opportunities, and transformed lives,” said Harkin. “Today we recognize that people with disabilities like all people have unique abilities, and talents, and aptitudes, and that our nation is better and fairer and richer when we make full use of those gifts.”

The law allows for equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. 

Langevin, who is disabled after becoming paralyzed almost 30 years ago, will preside over a resolution in the House of Representatives today as Speaker Pro-Tempore. This is the first time in history this role has been filled by a disabled Member.

“I hope people see my act today [presiding over the House] and realize that all things are possible, that all of us have difficulty and challenges in our lives, but if we have single-minded determination, and with the right tools and support to level the playing field there is nothing we can’t accomplish or pursue,” he said. 

This evening, President Barack Obama will host an event at the White House to commemorate the anniversary of the law.

Hoyer Pledges Jobs Creation Will Help Americans 'Make It In America'

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Friday at the Center for American Progress (CAP) that if jobs are created in America, Americans can make it in America and he believes job creation must be part of the American agenda.

“The private sector has added jobs for, as I said, six straight months,” said Hoyer. “By comparison, it took more than two years after the end of the last recession for our economy to return to six consecutive months of job growth in the private sector.”

He was critical of Republicans, accusing them of attempting to “demonize” legislation that has clearly helped the private sector and job growth.

“The House Minority Whip himself, hosted three job fairs ironically featuring employers who have benefited from such federal funds, a policy he voted against,” Hoyer said. “In fact, while all House Republican’s voted against these investments, more than half of the Republicans in Congress have taken credit for them in their districts.”

Hoyer says Republicans want to return to the same failed policies that put America in the current economic recession.

“The chairman of the Republican congressional campaign committee, whose job it is to recruit members to come to Congress to make policy said, and I quote, ‘We need to go back to the exact same agenda’,” said Hoyer.

Hoyer: Democrats Will Keep The House

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

Despite increasing doubt over the Democrats’ ability to keep their majority past November, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) remains confident.

“We will hold the House,” he stated firmly during his weekly briefing with reporters.

Hoyer and other Democrats are using a sound bite from Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who said just days ago on Meet The Press, “We need to go back to the exact same [Bush] agenda.”  

Hoyer predicted the American public would not vote for the “Bush fail policies.”

“I don’t think that’s what the American people wanna do,” he said. “I’m convinced that they don’t wanna do that. They want [Democrats] to continue to create jobs and grow the economy.”

Hoyer promoted what he called the “Make It In America” agenda. According to the Majority Leader, the goal of the agenda is to encourage people to make goods and to expand manufacturing in the United States.

“If we make it in America, in terms of products, more people will make it in America in terms of opportunity and success,” said Hoyer. The agenda includes about 20 bills and would include tax benefits for companies, however, Hoyer stressed that exact numbers and dollars are yet to be discussed.

When asked about the biggest problem facing the Democrats this fall, Hoyer said it was inheriting “the worst economy in three-quarters of a century.”

He repeatedly spoke of the success the Obama Administration has had with a Democratic majority when it comes to addressing the struggling job market. “Over the last 6 months, we have had over 700,000 new jobs created as opposed to losing 786,000 jobs in…the last month of the Bush administration.” 

“The American public gets it. They know that President Obama inherited the worst economy of any president in their lifetime,” he added.

Loose Federal Oversight Contributed To Oil Spill, Says Top House Democrat

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that the federal agency tasked with quality oversight of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded last month, spilling millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, could have done more to prevent the catastrophe.

When asked during his weekly news briefing whether the Minerals Management Service (MMS), an agency within the Department of Interior, should have been firmer with BP, the company in control of operating the site, about installing proper spill prevention mechanisms in recent years, Hoyer responded by saying, “I think that’s accurate, I think you’re right.”

"I think there was a sense that [MMS] wasn't on top of this," he added. "That's why [MMS Associate Director Chris Oynes] is retiring."

Hoyer also said he expects the House to hold a vote on imposing sanctions against Iran before the upcoming holiday recess.

"I think it's very important that we pass the Iran sanctions conference report prior to leaving on Memorial Day," he said. "I'm hopeful that...we will have it on the floor next week."

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced during a hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the U.S. had reached an agreement with four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- including Russia and China -- on ordering sanctions.

Hoyer: House Prepared To Vote On Reconciliation Bill Again

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters Tuesday that if the Senate alters the reconciliation bill passed by the lower-chamber Sunday night, the House is ready to vote on the package of amendments again.

"Our members are prepared to vote again," Hoyer said.

According to the rules governing Congress, any change made to the reconciliation bill by the Senate would require the bill to be re-approved by the House.

Hoyer said that he expects the Senate to act soon.

"Expect the Senate to be able to approve [the reconciliation bill] before the end of the week,” the Majority Leader said.

Hoyer also shot back at Republican criticism Tuesday, stating that healthcare reform “is not a government takeover" and will have positive effects on all Americans immediately.

“These bills reach broader and deeper and will have positive effects on every American’s life,” said Hoyer.

“Starting right away, tax credits will be available for small businesses and there will be relief for seniors who fall into the Medicare prescription drug 'donut hole' gap in their coverage,” Hoyer explained.