Racial Equity & Equal Justice for All
Americans were horrified in the summer of 2020 at the unjust killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans during encounters with police. These tragedies highlighted the deep-seated injustices that have long affected Black Americans and the denial of equal justice for all. Not only is our criminal justice system inequitable, but racial disparities continue to exist in many aspects of American life and our economy, including income, wealth distribution, housing, health care, and access to higher education. For too long this country has ignored the need to engage in real, serious policymaking focused on eliminating these disparities and ensuring that every American has an equal shot at “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Democrats are continuing to make equity and reducing disparities a focus of our legislative and economic agenda. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes equitable investments to address long-ignored disparities that prevent underserved communities from reaching their full economic potential. These include expanding access to broadband for 42 million Americans who currently lack reliable Internet access, funding upgrades to our water infrastructure to ensure Americans have clean drinking water, addressing legacy pollution, and expanding reliable public transit to underserved communities. During the 117th Congress, history was made when the Emmett Till Antilynching Act was passed and signed into law. This long-overdue law designates lynching as a hate crime under federal law, ensuring the full force of the government is brought to prosecute these monstrous crimes that have terrorized the Black community for over a century. House Democrats also passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in 2020 to root out racial biases in police departments and ban practices such as chokeholds and no-knock warrants. In the 118th Congress, Democrats will continue to we work with the Biden Administration to make equal justice, racial equity, and opportunity a reality for all Americans.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and House Democrats are staging a sit-in today on the House Floor to demand Republicans bring legislation to address gun violence to a vote. Whip Hoyer discussed the sit-in with MSNBC and CBS this evening.
Today, House Democrats are staging a sit-in on the Floor of the House of Representatives, demanding that Republicans hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence. As soon as the House of Representatives was brought to order this afternoon, House Republicans gaveled out the proceedings, refusing to allow Democrats to be heard. Here’s a look at how it’s playing out in the news:
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives today during a sit-in staged by House Democrats to demand Republicans hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and House Democrats are staging a sit-in on the House Floor today, demanding that Republicans hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today as House Democrats staged a sit-in to demand Republicans hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence.
Reporters may want to head to the gallery. Rep. John Lewis is leading a sit-in in the Well of the House Floor with dozens of House Democrats to demand that House Republicans allow a vote on legislation to address gun violence. After the worst mass shooting in modern history, it's time for Speaker Ryan to bring a bill to the Floor. House Democrats will continue to demand: no bill, no break.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after House Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the President's supplemental request to provide funding to combat the spread of the Zika virus.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement recognizing the 151st anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest, nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, which is observed this Sunday.
I am horrified and deeply saddened by Sunday’s attack in Orlando, Florida. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Orlando LGBT and Latino communities. However, our thoughts and prayers alone are not enough.