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.
On Monday, the President released his budget for Fiscal Year 2016. His budget proposal builds on the strength of our economic recovery to make smart investments that will increase our nation’s competitiveness, while ensuring that working families share in the benefits of the recovery.
This week, Republican dysfunction on immigration is on full display.
Republicans have controlled both the House and the Senate for four weeks, and their record shows that they have focused on extreme, partisan legislation rather than taking action to help the middle class and all those who aspire to it.
Even though pressure continues to mount for Republicans to pass a clean DHS funding bill that will keep our communities safe and secure, they are “increasingly unworried” about shutting down DHS. If they think that's a good strategy, they should read the letter sent by three former DHS secretaries who warn that the GOP’s political games could put our national security at risk.
This evening, President Obama laid out a vision of an America that prioritizes a strong and growing middle class.
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this evening in opposition to the partisan amendments House Republicans have attached to must-pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video.
Well, very frankly, we have on the Floor this week, as you know, the funding of the Department of Homeland Security, which is designed to keep our country and our people safe.
I commend the President for appointing David Cohen as the next Deputy Director of the CIA.
For generations, American men and women have fought and died on the field of battle to uphold the highest principles of justice and human rights that our nation embodies – not only for Americans but for oppressed people throughout the world.
Ashton Carter is an excellent choice to serve the next Secretary of Defense.