National Security & Veterans

Congressman Hoyer believes that a Member of Congress’s highest duty is to keep America safe, strengthen our national security, and protect our homeland from attack. He is a leader in Congress on national security issues, has advocated for smarter and stronger policies to step up the fight against terrorist organizations that would do us harm, and remains unwavering in his commitment to the members of our armed services.  He is also a strong supporter of investing in programs that adequately equip our first responders for response to potential domestic attacks and increase protections at our ports and borders.

Congressman Hoyer has been the lead advocate for Southern Maryland’s military installations at the federal level and was instrumental in the BRAC process in preserving 9,000 jobs at Patuxent River Naval Air Station while adding over 5,000 new jobs; protecting 3,000 jobs at Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center; and securing the future of Webster Field, St. Inigoes. Hoyer has worked closely with the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance, the Indian Head Defense Alliance, the Patuxent Partnership, the Chambers of Commerce and local officials working to ensure that these three military installations are protected. 

Congressman Hoyer is a strong advocate for our veterans, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that America’s veterans receive the respect, care, and benefits they earned through their service to our nation. While Congressman Hoyer has strongly supported historic increases in funding for the Veterans Administration, improving the quality and efficiency of care in our nation’s VA facilities, he is also a strong proponent of accountability in how the VA spends those resources.

Congressman Hoyer worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs Baltimore Regional Office on improving the claims process for Maryland veterans to ensure they receive their benefits in a timely manner and with fewer errors. He is also dedicated to eliminating homelessness among veterans. He worked to secure funding to assist nearly 200 veteran families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness in St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties. Additionally, he joined the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland and other stakeholders to ensure an accurate count of the homeless population in the Fifth District, which was critical to receiving additional housing vouchers for homeless veterans.

House Acts to Strengthen National Security, Support Troops & Families

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and a majority in the House voted late last Friday to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011 (H.R. 5136) to strengthen military readiness and counterterrorism efforts and to ensure that service members and their families receive the benefits they deserve and have earned. The bill, which authorizes investments in Department of Defense operations for the next fiscal year, includes a number of projects for military installations in Marylands 5th Congressional District.

Honoring the Memory of the Fallen in Observance, Prayer and a Renewed Commitment

On this Memorial Day, we continue to be engaged in hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and young men and women will pay the ultimate price while wearing the uniform of our nation. Let us honor the memory of the 4,400 Americans who have died in Iraq and more than 1,000 who have died in Afghanistan. We also honor the sacrifices of our wounded: nearly 32,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 5,700 in Afghanistan.

Hoyer Memorial Day Statement

This Monday, we observe Memorial Day to honor the generations of brave men and women who lost their lives in our countrys service, from Americas founding up to the present day. In each generation, they bore pain and sacrifice so that those they left at home would not have to; we owe our countrys safety and its liberties to their courage.

Hoyer Statement on the Defense Authorization Act

Democrats in Congress have worked closely with President Obama to fight our enemies, promote our interests and support our troops and their familiescompiling a record of securing our nation in stronger and smarter ways

Public Service Employees Deserve Our Thanks and Recognition

Not to be overlooked are the men and women who serve America as federal, state and local government employees to provide vital services on which we rely. They are our teachers, our postmen and women, our police officers, our local government workers ensuring our trash gets picked up and our streets are paved, and federal civilian employees who work side-by-side with military personnel to keep our nation safe and secure.

Facility nearly ready for new Navy workers

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer speaks at the topping-off ceremony for the new explosives development facility at Indian Head Division Naval Surface Warfare Center. Officials at Indian Head Division Naval Surface Warfare Center celebrated the new explosives development facility currently under construction at a topping off-ceremony Friday.

House Votes to Strengthen Veterans’ Health Services

The House voted to ensure that veterans and their families get the care and support they need and deserve after they put their lives on the line defending our country. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act will reform and improve veterans health services by supporting wounded veterans and their families and caregivers, expanding care for female veterans, improving mental health services, and increasing access to health care for veterans in rural areas.

U.S. Service Academies – Serving Your Country and Your Future

The youth of today face the challenge of entering a job market that has become increasingly service-oriented, technology driven and globally competitive. When considering what path to take after high school, students have an appealing option in our nations United States service academies. An education at one of these prestigious institutions ranks among the best in the country and offers qualifying young men and women the opportunity to develop the leadership skills, technical abilities and character discipline that employers desire while simultaneously serving their country as a member of the armed forces.

Hoyer: House Reaffirms, Strengthens Commitment to Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) applauded passage of a number of bills this week that strengthen the nation's commitment to its veterans, military personnel and their families.