Democrats Urge Action On Year-End Items, Call On GOP Congres

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Democrats Urge Action On Year-End Items, Call On GOP Congress to Return Next Year Focused On Jobs, Deficit Reduction



MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, I was disappointed that Republicans played political games, instead of addressing critical issues before they expire at the end of this year. Rather than working with Democrats to extend middle class tax cuts and unemployment assistance, and fix the Medicare physician payment rate, Republicans wasted time on a political exercise. Their bill included unrelated, controversial provisions which the President made clear he would veto, and which they knew could not pass the Senate. I hope when we return next week, Republicans will put aside partisan politics and work with Democrats to address these year-end items. We cannot adjourn for the year without completing this work.
As this year comes to a close, we have an opportunity to reflect on what Republicans have done since they took the majority. A look at the numbers shows that this has been one of the least productive Congresses in recent memory, with fewer days in session, fewer bills signed into law and passed through the House, and fewer Committee hearings and mark-ups than when Democrats took the House majority in 2007. Republicans have also failed to address Americans’ top priorities. They still have not put forward a comprehensive jobs plan, and they walked away from several opportunities to take meaningful action to reduce our deficit.
Democrats, on the other hand, have shown that we are committed to restoring the American dream and ensuring the middle class can succeed. We have put forward the Make It In America plan, which aims to create jobs by cultivating an encouraging environment for businesses to innovate and make products here in the U.S. This plan overlaps and complements President Obama’s American Jobs Act, a bipartisan proposal that will create jobs and boost the economy now. Unfortunately, Republican leaders have refused to take action on either of these jobs plans, despite having no comprehensive plan of their own.
Democrats have also urged Republicans to work with us on a big, bold, balanced deficit reduction plan. But rather than working together, Republicans refused to abandon their ideological position that protects millionaires and billionaires from paying their fair share and walked away from four major opportunities to reduce the deficit and restore fiscal responsibility.
I hope when we return next year Republicans will abandon their partisan stance and work with Democrats to address our nation’s challenges. We remain willing to work across the aisle to help put Americans back to work.
I hope you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season.
Sincerely yours,

STENY H. HOYER