National Security

Keeping America safe is Congress’ most important duty. Democrats are focused on strengthening U.S. national security, defending democracy, and restoring America’s leadership in the world.

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.

National Security Related
Week of June 12, 2006
Emergency Supplemental, Appropriations, and the War in Iraq
Hoyer Statement on the Elimination of Terrorist al-Zarqawi
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer released the following statement this morning. Rep. Hoyer traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan over the Memorial Day Congressional Recess:
Week of June 5, 2006
Appropriations, Refinery process, Communications, and Emergency Supplemental
Week of May 22, 2006
Appropriations, Emergency Supplemental, and ANWR Drilling
Hoyer: House Republicans Slash Military Funding, Even as They Provide Huge Tax Cuts to the Wealthy
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after Republican Members struck more than $500 million in critical military funding from the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007. The funding that was struck from the bill was specifically requested by President Bush:
Hoyer Statement on the President’s Proposal to Deploy National Guard Troops to the Border
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight in response to President Bush’s nationally televised address concerning immigration reform and his proposal to send some 6,000 National Guard troops to the United States-Mexico border:
Hoyer: Republicans Prohibit Debate on Important National Security Issue
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) made the following remarks today on the House floor in opposition to the Republicans’ Rule on the FY07 Defense Authorization Act, which barred consideration of an amendment offered by Whip Hoyer, Rep. Bart Gordon, and Rep. Mark Udall that would have shifted excess funds from the ballistic missile defense program to programs moving America towards energy independence:
Week of May 8, 2006
Defense Authorization and the Budget
Democrats Lead the Way in Making America Energy Independent
Democrats Push to Increase Alternative Fuels Use in the Military
Hoyer: Republicans Refuse to Do What’s Necessary on Port Security
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement this afternoon after the House passed H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act by a vote of 421 to 2. Before the vote on final passage, House Republicans defeated a Democratic effort to require that 100 percent of the shipping containers be scanned and sealed using the best available technology before being loaded onto ships destined for the United States: