Hoyer Delivers Speech on House Democrats' Vision of a Congress on Your Side

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered a speech this morning, hosted by the National Press Club, where he addressed the gridlock that has characterized the Republican-led Congress and discussed the Republican record of inaction on issues important to the American people. Leading up to November, Whip Hoyer contrasted the choice between Republican obstruction and House Democrats’ agenda to create jobs, jumpstart the middle class, and help more people achieve the American Dream. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“In five short weeks, the American people will make a decision about the direction they want this country to go.  They are going to have to choose what kind of government they want – one characterized by endless gridlock or one that achieves progress.  A government on their side – or one that tells them, ‘you’re on your own.’

“Congress, many Americans feel with justification, isn’t on their side anymore. Across the country, people are losing faith that Congress will or can meet its responsibility to support and grow a strong middle class.

“Congress hasn’t always been dysfunctional.  With a responsible majority, and with members coming together with a seriousness of purpose, Congress can do a great deal of good. 

“In the 1950s, Democrats and Republicans worked together to invest in an interstate highway system that spurred unprecedented economic growth. As part of President Johnson’s Great Society, Congress passed the Higher Education Act so millions could afford the college education of which their parents and grandparents could only dream.  Compromise and cooperation led to the enactment of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.  It brought us the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act fifty years ago.  In 1990, Congress came together to pass the Americans With Disabilities Act to open the doors of opportunity to millions. In 1997, the parties worked together to lay the groundwork for a balanced federal budget and unprecedented surpluses. 

“Bipartisan compromise to achieve progress is no myth – it’s happened.  It’s worked.  It can work once more. 

“The American people can have a Congress that places productive policymaking ahead of partisan politics.  One that tells the middle class: ‘We’re on your side.’ 

“As voters prepare to elect the next Congress, they have a clear choice.  Maintain a Republican House Majority that has made obstruction and partisanship its policy.  Or elect a Democratic Majority that will end the gridlock by focusing on the issues that matter and by working in a bipartisan way to make progress.  And we need to make progress.

“According to a Gallup poll this month, four in ten Americans believe it doesn’t matter which party leads the Congress.  But, in fact, it matters a great deal. 

“Voters should be deeply concerned about continuing the Republican House Majority for two reasons.  First, Republicans have ignored the will of the people by refusing to address the issues Americans care about.  And, second, they have overseen the least-productive and most-closed Congress in modern history.  In doing both, they have directly contradicted the pledges they made.

“In their book, Young Guns, Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy, and Paul Ryan wrote:  ‘We pledge to stand on principle, to lead as adults, and – most of all – to serve as responsible stewards of the public trust by listening to the American people.’ 

“And when Speaker Boehner assumed the gavel, he declared:  ‘Above all else, we will welcome the battle of ideas, encourage it, and engage in it – openly, honestly, and respectfully.  As the chamber closest to the people, the House works best when it is allowed to work its will.’ 

“How much better off we would be, had the House been allowed to work its will. Under Republican control, the House of Representatives has not lived up to its title. 

“Seventy-one percent of Americans want to increase the minimum wage, and 61% of small businesses support an increase to $10.10 an hour, according to a July poll.  House Republicans, however, won’t allow it to come to the Floor.

“More than seven in ten Americans support comprehensive immigration reform, as surveyed in May.  And a poll in June showed that a majority of Republican voters want a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, if they meet certain conditions.  But, instead of listening to the American people, Republicans refused to allow the House even to hold a vote.

“When women asked for legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work, Republicans said: ‘You’re on your own.’   On one important issue after another, House Republicans – who controlled the agenda – refused to allow the people’s will to be considered on the Floor of the House.

“On September 18, Speaker Boehner delivered a speech in which he said:  ‘Today I can report that the people’s House is more open and transparent: …you can even bring your iPad to the Floor.’ 

“That may be the case, but, you can’t bring a bill to raise the minimum wage to the Floor.  Or to extend unemployment insurance.  Or to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.  You can’t bring a bipartisan bill to fix our broken immigration system.  Dave Camp – a Republican committee chairman – can’t even bring his tax reform bill to the Floor. 

“Of course, you can bring your iPad to the Floor to read about these items – but not act on them. 

“As a result of the Republican Majority walking away again and again, Congress is now less productive and more divided than ever.  Under the Republican Majority in the 113th Congress, just 165 laws – the fewest in modern history – have been enacted, and only twenty-six of those were major pieces of legislation.  And we’re on target to be in session for just 107 days this year – the same as in 2012.  Theirs has truly earned the title: ‘Do-Nothing Congress.’ 

“The American people deserve a Do-Something Congress.  In fact, they deserve a Do-The-Right-Thing Congress.  Which is exactly what House Democrats are ready to do by working across the aisle to achieve results. 

“And we know it’s possible.  There have been a number of moments over the past four years when Speaker Boehner, frustrated with the obstructionists in his conference, turned to Democrats to pass key legislation. 

“We supplied the votes to keep the government open and to re-open it after last October’s shutdown.  We pushed the Budget Control Act over the finish line to avoid defaulting on our debt.  And after Hurricane Sandy devastated families, farms, and small businesses, and 179 Republicans – 77% of their conference – walked away from the victims and said ‘You’re on your own,’ 192 Democrats voted for the disaster relief package, which is the only reason it passed.  The same holds true for the Violence Against Women Act, patent reform, the Highway Bill, and the Farm Bill.  And when President Bush was in office, Democrats worked across the aisle to pass a new GI bill, a bill to increase our energy independence, and legislation to prevent another great depression. 

“Today we see a Republican Majority that automatically opposes anything President Obama supports – even though our country needs action.

“Atlas Shrugged, the Ayn Rand novel that Paul Ryan often cites as inspiration for the ideology he and many other House Republicans share, says this about compromise – and I quote:  ‘There are two sides to every issue; one is right, and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.’ 

“Compromise is not evil.  It is the necessary and noble pursuit of those who govern responsibly in a democracy

“The American people aren’t looking for leaders who refuse to compromise or for more partisan division.  What they seek are leaders who will make the tough choices that come with governing.  They want us to do it in a bipartisan way.

“It isn’t hard to imagine what the result would be if that were the case. According to a study by Moody’s Analytics in 2011, had the Republican Majority worked with Democrats that year to pass the President’s jobs plan, GDP would have grown by as much as 2%, and 1.9 million jobs would have been created.  Sadly, they didn’t, and it was a missed opportunity – and a real shame.

“Even without help from Congress, the President has achieved significant progress over the past four years in tackling the challenges we face.  As he pointed out in a speech on Saturday, by nearly every indicator our country is doing better today than it was when President Obama took office.  Ten million new jobs have been created in just over four years; $800 billion in Medicare costs saved.  The number of children in poverty dropped by 1.4 million last year, representing the most significant decline since 1966.

“Think about how much more progress could be made were Congress a partner to the President and not an obstacle.  Instead of a Congress where the Republican Majority walks away and says ‘You’re on your own,’ a Congress led by Democrats would reassure Americans that Congress is on their side. 

“Our platform for a Democratic Majority in 2015 is centered on taking action to jump-start the middle class.  To restore faith in the promise that if you work hard and take responsibility, you can access opportunities such as homeownership, higher education, and a secure retirement. 

“The way to achieve that is for Congress to enact precisely what Republicans promised in 2010 but failed to deliver – and that is, to quote their Pledge: ‘A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive.’ 

“Republicans have created more uncertainty, rather than ending it.  No certainty for doctors treating Medicare patients that they will be paid adequately and continue to see patients – Democrats have proposed giving doctors and seniors that certainty. No certainty for states and localities seeking to build and maintain bridges and highways – while Democrats have supported a long-term plan to invest in infrastructure.  No certainty for small businesses looking to create jobs through exporting – Democrats want to provide that certainty with a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. And no certainty for businesses looking to innovate or hire workers but coming up against a broken immigration system – Democrats want to fix that system through comprehensive reform that keeps talented graduates here and enables employers to hire both the permanent and temporary workers they need.  The list goes on. 

“House Democrats would work to provide certainty in these ways and by making our economy more competitive through our Make It In America plan.  In addition, we would work to jump-start the middle class by raising the minimum wage, expanding access to education, helping student loan borrowers refinance, ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work, and making sure affordable child care is available to those who need it. 

“Doing these things isn’t giving Americans a hand-out but a leg up.  That’s how we jump-start a strong middle class and build a stronger economy.  And it’s what our people want their Congress to focus on. 

“Not partisan games.  Not an obsession with repealing the Affordable Care Act.  Not politically driven lawsuits against the President or threats of shutdown or default.  Not massive tax breaks that would explode our deficits and debt by hundreds of billions of dollars.

“Americans want a bipartisan effort to achieve results for the middle class, not a Congress that stands in the way. That’s what Democrats are campaigning for: a Congress in which Americans’ voices are heard once again. 

“While Republicans continue to ignore the need to invest in job creation, we will move forward with Make It In America bills to expand manufacturing, increase employment, and open doors to opportunity.

“While Republicans block comprehensive immigration reform, we believe it should be passed and signed into law, assuring both border security and the repair of a broken system.

“While Republicans allow discriminatory efforts to keep minorities, seniors, and students from exercising their equal right to vote, we will work to restore the Voting Rights Act and protect and facilitate the ability of every American to cast a vote. 

“While Republicans try to rescind patient protections and critical benefits, we will protect affordable health care for all Americans, including every woman’s access to the full range of health care choices.

“While Republicans add billions to the deficit with unpaid-for tax cuts, we will work in a bipartisan way to achieve fiscal sustainability and restore certainty, with no threats of shutdown or default. 

“We must make sure that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other critical programs will be there for our children and grandchildren when they need it. 

“While Republicans spent $3 million of taxpayer’s dollars defending the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, we will work to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“While Republicans have worked to undermine clean air and water for future generations, we will support the development and deployment of clean energy and manufacturing technologies. 

“And we will, as we have, stand by our veterans and maintain a strong national defense that can meet the challenges we face from terror groups like al Qaeda and ISIL, from Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon, and from the destabilizing actions of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. 

“Americans deserve a House Majority that believes in a government that works – not one that believes government can do no good and should simply disappear.  We know Congress can effect positive change – because it has done so before.  Over the past four years, though, the House of Representatives has, essentially, created a government missing in action.  

“It took 198 Democrats and 87 Republicans coming together in a vote to end the shutdown of our government last October – an astounding 144 Republicans, by the way, voted to continue that shutdown.  And it will take Democrats, Independents, and Republicans who are tired of the gridlock to come together in a vote five weeks from tomorrow to end the four-year shutdown of their Congress. 

“This shutdown of Congress has been undertaken by a Republican Majority in the House and by a Republican Minority in the Senate that uses its rules to obstruct and filibuster.

“The past four years have been proof that elections matter.  America’s stockholders, our voters, surely know they need new leadership on their board of directors – the Congress.

“America’s challenges demand a serious Majority that won’t tell the middle class ‘You’re on your own,’ but that reassures them: ‘We’re on your side.’  One that reminds them of the good Congress can do when it takes responsibility and translates the will of the people into meaningful progress. 

“In Young Guns, now-Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said that voters should hold his party accountable:  ‘Should we regain the American people’s trust, we will insist that our feet are held to the fire.  If given the opportunity to govern, we will deliver on our commitment.  If we don’t, I’m confident the American people will send us packing.’ 

“Demonstrably, the Republicans have not delivered on their commitments. In a Gallup tracking poll last month, 59% said they disapproved of Congress’ performance because it isn’t working for those it represents. 

“On November 4, the American people will have an opportunity to heed Mr. McCarthy’s advice and take their Congress back. 

“In order for that to happen, the majority of Americans who have been silenced in this Congress must speak loudly.  They must speak with the multitude of their votes and elect a Democratic Majority in the House of Representatives that will permit the House to work its will. 

“They must choose a leadership that truly serves the will of the American people and is committed to building a future of opportunity, security, and certainty – certainty for our economy, certainty for our middle class, and certainty that the people’s House will always be on the people’s side.”