National Security
Democrats are committed to enhancing our national security and advancing key American interests, while supporting human rights and democratic values at home and abroad.
In the 117th Congress, Democrats passed a bipartisan defense authorization bill that strengthened our national security, ensured our military personnel have the resources they need to defend our country, and bolstered our allies and international interests. In the 118th Congress, Democrats will build on these gains by continuing to help President Biden keep Americans safe.
We will continue to work with the Administration to provide our diplomats and our troops with the tools needed to carry out their missions abroad safely and effectively. This will include continuing to work with our allies to ensure Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ends in defeat for Putin, that America maintains its competitiveness against China’s authoritarian challenges, and that the world is free from threats posed by Iran.
"Today, as we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the end of the Persian Gulf War, we recognize the contributions of all our veterans who served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. ...
"While some of the so-called 'moderates' appear to have defeated the hardliners in Friday's election in Iran, no matter what the results and no matter who wins, Iran will still primarily be controlled by an unelected, undemocratic, and theocratic elite. ...
Today, President Obama unveiled his budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which reduces the deficit and puts debt on a sustainable path while laying out a vision for how we can give every American a fair shot at economic security; accelerate American innovation; and keep Americans safe.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after North Korea performed a launch using ballistic missile technology:
"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. ...
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 114th 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.