Press Release
“[The sequester] is not shutting down government so obviously it's going to be a slow erosion, not an immediate tidal wave.
“I was honored to stand beside President Obama today as he signed into law the fully inclusive and bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. As a cosponsor of the original 1994 legislation, I am encouraged that Congress was able to come together to expand the Act’s protections for LGBT Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants.
“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
“Forty-eight years ago today, 600 courageous young men and women marched for civil rights and an end to voter suppression in Selma, Alabama. They were met with batons and hoses as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on their way to the State Capitol in Montgomery.
Democrats continue to call for a big and balanced solution to stop the irrational and irresponsible across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester. While House Democrats have proposed a solution to stop these reckless cuts, Republicans have refused on four separate occasions to bring this legislation to the House Floor for a vote.
Democrats continue to call for a big and balanced solution to stop the irrational and irresponsible across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester. While House Democrats have proposed a solution to stop these reckless cuts, Republicans have refused on four separate occasions to bring this legislation to the House Floor for a vote.
Today, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) will reintroduce the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. The legislation, which passed the House in 2010 with broad bipartisan support and will be reintroduced later today, honors the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and supports people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act would reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act and authorize the Department of Education to make grants to the Best Buddies organization to support the expansion and development of mentoring programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
Today, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer joined 212 House and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor, which challenges Section 3 of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.
“Today’s report by the Institute for Supply Management, which shows stronger-than-expected gains for our manufacturing sector, is a further sign that we have made progress. But we have a responsibility to build on this progress and do more to help businesses in that sector compete, succeed, and create jobs. Congress must make job creation a priority, and in particular focus on promoting the advanced manufacturing sector and the innovation and jobs that go with it.
"I am proud to join in marking Women’s History Month 2013, when we recall the courage and determination of those who have fought for women’s equality and celebrate the many critical contributions women have made to our nation. This year, we observe the centennial of the 1913 National Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington, which saw 5,000 women raise their voices to demand their equal right to vote.