THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2010

This week, President Obama delivered his first State of the Union Address, laying out an agenda that creates jobs and addresses the needs of middle-class families. As the President said, ‘Jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010.’ I agree entirely. That’s why the House passed a bill last month to create jobs with much-needed infrastructure projects, and we will consider a range of other job-creating proposals, including a plan the President announced today to provide tax incentives to small businesses that add jobs or raise workers’ salaries. Today’s news that our economy grew at a rate of 5.7% in the last quarter of 2009 is an encouraging sign, but much more needs to be done for Americans still out of work.
 
As we work to create jobs, we are also focused on keeping our responsibility to the next generation to get our nation’s deficits and debt under control. President Obama inherited a fiscal mess when he entered the White House, due largely to the economic downturn and the policies of the past administration. This year, Democrats are moving on an agenda to strengthen fiscal responsibility and bring down the deficit. A key part of that agenda passed the Senate yesterday: statutory pay-as-you-go legislation. PAYGO means what it says: we have to pay for what we buy. It forces us to make choices and identify our priorities just as families across the nation do. It was a proven success in the 1990s, helping turn huge deficits into a record surplus. I’ve been a strong supporter of PAYGO for years, and I’m looking forward to bringing it to the House for a vote next week, so that we can send it to the President’s desk for his signature.
 
Ensuring economic security for the middle class is also why passing health insurance reform remains a priority. Reform can create up to 4 million jobs over the next decade, help lower costs for small businesses so they can hire more workers, and keep Americans from going bankrupt just because they get sick. Democrats’ commitment to ensuring quality, affordable health care for all Americans remains strong, and I look forward to working to make reform a reality.

 

Leader Hoyer released a statement on today’s encouraging economic news, calling GDP growth a promising sign that efforts by President Obama and the Democratic Congress are helping businesses grow again.

 

Leader Hoyer released a statement praising the Senate for passing statutory pay-as-you-go, an amendment very similar to the PAYGO legislation introduced by Leader Hoyer and passed by the House in July 2009. A final House vote is expected next week.

 

Leader Hoyer responded to President Obama's first State of the Union Address, applauding the President's commitment to fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction. 

 

Leader Hoyer delivered a speech outlining the Democrats' 2010 agenda at the National Press Club, focusing on our top priorities of creating jobs and restoring fiscal responsibility, as well as moving health insurance reform forward.

 

This week, the Department of Commerce reported that the economy (GDP) grew 5.7% in the last quarter of 2009, consumer confidence reached the highest level in 16 months, USA Today released a quarterly survey of 50 economists who found that the Recovery Act was responsible for saving jobs, and the White House announced $8 billion in Recovery Act awards for infrastructure projects.