Foreign Affairs

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to the failure by South Sudanese leaders to form a transitional government by the established January 22 deadline.

"Bringing home American citizens who have been held captive overseas is one of the most sacred duties of our government, and I join in thanking President Obama and his diplomatic team for their unceasing efforts to secure the return of Jason Rezian, Amir Hekmati, Nosratollah Khosrawi-Roodsari, Saeed Abedini, and Matthew Trevithick from their unjust imprisonment in Iran. ...

Wanted to make sure you saw today's op-ed in The Hill by House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) on President Obama's final State of the Union Address.

“Tonight, President Obama reminded Congress and the nation that what makes America great is the spirit of service and hard work that manifests from realizing we are all bound together by a common cause. ...

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed legislation giving the Administration additional authorities to pursue sanctions against North Korea.

As President Obama prepares to deliver his last State of the Union address, here’s a look at the progress we have made over the past seven years:

As we begin the new year and the Second Session of the 114^th Congress, newly elected Speaker Paul Ryan has an opportunity to turn the page on the bitter partisanship of the past few years and show that he is willing to work across the aisle to get things done for the American people.  The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that “House Speaker Paul Ryan starting this month will push to turn the chamber into a platform for ambitious Republican policy ideas.”  But evidence points to the contrary, with the first items on the House’s agenda for 2016 being the sixty-second vote to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, the eleventh vote to attack women’s health, and several bills that would undermine consumer safety, workplace safety, and environmental protections.  House Republican leaders know these bills will never become law, yet they continue to pander to the far right with political messaging bills instead of bringing substantive, bipartisan legislation to the Floor. It is also unfortunate that Speaker Ryan has already taken issues such as comprehensive immigration reform and an expansion of paid family and medical leave off of the table. 

"Today's apparent nuclear test by North Korea reminds the world precisely why the United States and its international partners must take a firm line against any attempts by radical regimes to pursue nuclear weapons. ...