Foreign Affairs

“Today, on the sixty-fifth anniversary of the modern State of Israel’s founding, I join in celebrating the achievements of an extraordinary people who daily prove to the world the power of freedom and democracy to triumph in the face of great adversity.

"Thank you so much. I am humbled and honored by this award.  Few awards are as meaningful as for work done to protect our children and expand the opportunities they deserve to succeed in life.

"I join in mourning the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher and in celebrating her historic role as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“I think the senators that went obviously wanted to talk to the President about whether or not they could reach common ground on a lot of very important issues including most importantly a compromise that we could get this country on a fiscally sustainable path and have what we call a big deal

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) will speak at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference tonight. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

"We gather tonight recognizing that Israel’s existence is testimony that faith and courage can triumph even in a cauldron of enmity, terror, and constant threat.   

Today, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer joined a global coalition of 98 politicians from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia calling for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions of Sudan. Mr. Hoyer signed the letter addressed to the coalition’s respective Foreign Ministers urging them to lead the UN Security Council to action on Sudan at this critical moment.

John Kerry has served his country throughout his life, from Vietnam to the United States Senate, and now as our next Secretary of State.  He will bring his experience and knowledge from his time as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to his new role, and I look forward to his swift confirmation. 

Today, the Senate ensured that U.S. companies will have better access to the Russian market when it passed H.R. 6156 by a strong, bipartisan vote of 92-4.  By granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia, Congress has provided the President the tools needed to ensure Russia follows World Trade Organization rules and the market access commitments it has made.  This will help create a level playing field for American businesses and workers seeking to export to the growing Russian market.  In addition, this bill provides for tougher sanctions against those officials responsible for violating human rights and basic freedoms, including those involved in the tragic death of Sergei Magnitsky.  I look forward to seeing President Obama sign this bill into law and take the steps it makes available to enforce fair trade rules that benefit American businesses and the jobs they create.