Hoyer: Congress Ought To Focus On The Sequester Until We Find A Solution

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) spoke on the House Floor this morning about the need for both parties to work together to replace the sequester with a balanced alternative. Below are excerpts of his remarks and a link to the video:

Click here to watch the video.

“American families and businesses are facing greater and greater uncertainty as a result of the sequester and the unwillingness on the part of Congress to take meaningful, bipartisan action to stop it. With this uncertainty, businesses have showed slowed hiring and, in some cases, have even begun to lay off workers. This indiscriminant and irrational nature of the sequestration means that its ill effects will be felt across our economy and society without regard to our priorities. It also means that none of us – not one of us in this chamber – are immune in our own districts where constituents will see a reduction in services and dislocation.”

“Because of the sequester, we are at risk of 70,000 young people kicked off Head Start. Ten thousand teachers’ jobs at risk for Title I cuts. Four million fewer Meals On Wheels for seniors. Six hundred thousand women, infants, and children dropped off the rolls. Emergency unemployment insurance cut by 11% for two million out-of-work Americans. Twenty one hundred fewer food safety inspections. That's a drop of 18% to make sure that our food is safe. And one third of air combat units are grounded.”

“The responsible path forward is for Democrats and Republicans to work together on a big and balanced approach to deficits that restores certainty to our businesses and families.”

“Four times – four times – Mr. Van Hollen, the Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, has offered an amendment to the sequester which would get to the same deficit reduction but in a way that was prioritizing those things that are important in our country and eliminating those that are not and raising some additional revenues as well. Four times – not only has that not been considered, but the Republicans have refused to allow that amendment on the Floor. Yet, we have the 37th time to repeal the health care bill. A 37th vote to repeal health care reform, which is already benefiting millions of Americans. It’s not a responsible use of Congressional time.”