THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF DECEMBER 10, 2007

This week, the House again passed a fiscally responsible bill that will protect 23 million Americans from being hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax next year.  All Senate Democrats voted in favor of the earlier House AMT bill, but Senate Republicans blocked it.  By passing another fully paid-for AMT bill, House Democrats are giving Senate Republicans another chance to do the right thing and pass AMT protection that will not add to the nation's debt.

 

For the first time in three years, the House passed an Intelligence Authorization conference report this week, which will strengthen oversight and accountability of the intelligence community, and prohibit the use of torture.  Requiring all American intelligence agencies to comply with the U.S. Army Field Manual on Interrogations will demonstrate our commitment to the values that make us Americans, and is an important step to restore and repair our nation's good reputation in the world.  The House also passed a Defense Authorization conference report that sets our defense priorities for the next year.

 

Next week, the House will take up an historic energy bill that raises fuel economy standards for the first time in years, and puts our nation on the path to energy independence.  We will also address funding for America's priorities, as well as extending the children's health insurance program to ensure that no children who are currently covered lose access to health care while negotiations to expand coverage to 10 million low-income children continue.

 

 

Hoyer spoke on the House Floor on Wednesday in support of a revised bill that protects 23 million Americans from the Alternative Minimum Tax, while not adding to the deficit by closing tax loopholes.

Yesterday, Hoyer called the first Intelligence Authorization conference report in three years a strong bill that will enhance the effectiveness of the intelligence community, and said that it takes important steps to prohibit the use of torture.

 

Hoyer spoke at a press conference this week with other members of the Washington Metro Area Delegation, where they discussed how it is unnecessary for the Department of Defense to issue furlough notices to 100,000 federal employees.

 

Hoyer called the President's second veto of legislation providing health care to 10 million low-income American children "shameful," and said that while he will continue to negotiate with Republicans, Congress will proceed with an extension of CHIP to ensure that no children who are currently covered lose their access to health care.