Media

Mr. Speaker, beginning this week, literally hundreds of thousands of civilian workers are being furloughed, particularly at the defense installations in Marylands Fifth District, across the state, and around the country. That means, as of Monday, more than 650,000 hardworking, middle-class defense employees are being forced to take a 20% pay cut for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Today, I met with federal employees at Pax River to discuss the need to replace the irrational policy of sequester and end the furloughs that 46,000 civilian defense workers at Pax River and at military installations across Maryland are facing.

Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today as we celebrate the work of the Judith P. Hoyer Foundation and recognize excellence at two Judy Centers that are making a real difference for the children and families they serve.

I am deeply disappointed that Congress failed to take action to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling from 3.4% to 6.8% by the July 1st deadline.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the Majority party is set to recess this House for a week, leaving in place the economy-stifling and irrational policy of sequester.

Im so proud of our talented students in the Fifth District who submit outstanding artwork for the Fifth District Congressional Art Competition each year.

I thank NARFE Chapter 969 for providing me with the opportunity to speak with the active and retired federal employees of St. Marys County.