Press Release
“I am very disappointed that the Supreme Court chose today to uphold its earlier Citizens United decision. The consequences of that decision have seen the voices of ordinary citizens drowned out by the unprecedented influence of political organizations wielding tens of millions of dollars from undisclosed donors with unknown agendas. Our democracy relies on the principle of every citizen having an equal voice, and the Citizens United decision undermines that basic tenet.
“I am pleased that the decision announced by the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Arizona’s immigration law. It is a clear sign that changes to the way we approach undocumented immigrants must take place at the federal level. Democrats are committed to comprehensive immigration reform, and we will continue to propose solutions that reflect our need for secure borders and the reality that millions of people, including many children who were brought here through no fault of their own, have been living and working in our country for years.
“Rep. Lipinski’s bill, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, would bring government, business, and labor stakeholders together to formulate a comprehensive national strategy to attract manufacturing businesses to our shores, help them compete overseas, and encourage them to expand and create well-paying jobs here in our communities. Manufacturing has helped lead our recovery, and America continues to be the world’s leading manufacturer. If we want to build on that trend and remain the global leader in manufacturing, we need a comprehensive strategy like the one this bill would authorize. I commend the House Energy and Commerce Committee for agreeing today to advance this bill to the full House with bipartisan support.
“I commend Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee, led by Ranking Member Sandy Levin and joined by Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen, for introducing the Invest in America Now Act. This important legislation extends the bipartisan 100% bonus depreciation deduction that provides businesses with an incentive to invest in new equipment and growing their capacity, which will help create jobs. This extension is paid for by eliminating an unnecessary tax break for the largest oil and gas companies, which have been making record profits.
“Forty years ago tomorrow, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted to remove barriers to equal opportunity in education and school athletics. This was a milestone that enabled the achievements of the tens of millions of American women who have since participated in the full range of educational and athletic opportunities this country has to offer.
With thousands of construction jobs on the line and businesses in dire need of certainty, House Republicans should not delay passing a surface transportation bill any longer. I commend Rep. Tim Walz for his leadership in introducing a motion requiring House and Senate negotiators to produce a joint version of a bill by this Friday.
“On June 19, 1865, when U.S. Army Major Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation to the people of Galveston, Texas, the words fell upon the ears of the despairing and enslaved but settled in the hopeful hearts of free men and women. On that day, a new page was turned in our history, as the last of America’s slaves learned of their emancipation, and the new birth of freedom – of which Abraham Lincoln had spoken – began to stir the dreams of millions eager to take their lives into their own hands.
“I am pleased to welcome Tom Mahr and Javier Martinez to my staff,” said Hoyer. “They bring with them to their respective positions years of experience and valuable insight that will help House Democrats develop the best solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges and communicate them to a wide range of constituencies. I look forward to working with them both.”
As we return from the ninth full week of recess since the 112th Congress reconvened in January, House Republicans continue to pursue an extreme agenda that ignores our challenges of creating jobs and furthering our economic recovery. We have only twenty-four legislative days remaining before August’s five-week district work period. Furthermore, the House is only scheduled to be in session for eight legislative days in September and a mere five in October.
Today’s decision to defer deportation action against young people who were brought here by undocumented parents but have been raised here in our country is an important step in the right direction. This will help ensure that hard-working, eager, and talented individuals who came here not of their own choice, and who are contributing to our economy and our defense, can remain here and continue to be part of building a strong future for America.