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.

Hoyer Honors America's Heroes on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day:________________________________________________________________________

Deciphering the New Prescription Drug Law

Earlier this year, Americans celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and individuals with disabilities.________________________________________________________________________

Hurricane Katrina Information and Relief Efforts

Our deepest condolences go to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, who lost their lives, their homes and their livelihoods. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.________________________________________________________________________

Democrats Will Continue to Fight for Fiscal Responsibility

This week, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a revised estimate for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget deficit and it ought to concern all Americans...________________________________________________________________________

Sarbanes and Hoyer Introduce Legislation to Recognize Korean War Veterans Association

Senator Paul Sarbanes and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer today, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, introduced legislation in the House of Representatives and in the Senate which would grant a Federal Charter to the Korean War Veterans Association.________________________________________________________________________

Hoyer Urges President to Secure Ports

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s visit to the Port of Baltimore. As the only member from Maryland serving on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Hoyer has secured millions of dollars to keep the Port viable.

“The Port of Baltimore is a significant economic engine for our state and presently supports nearly 115,400 jobs in the State of Maryland, generates more than $1.4 billion for the State and regional economies and represents one-tenth of Maryland’s gross state product.

Honoring Those who Fought for Independence

The celebrations planned for Independence Day this year are both numerous and heartfelt, and justly so. While this is a day of fireworks, of barbecues and picnics, of friends and families, it is also much more. It is an opportunity to reflect on our nation, our history, our progress, and our future. Americans can wish a happy birthday to our country, to the principles on which it is founded, to the spirit of freedom that vitalizes it. It is also an opportunity to remember that independence is rarely easy, that it is an honor as well as a privilege, and that sometimes, as happened at the birth of our nation, it is necessary that we fight for it.________________________________________________________________________

Hoyer Votes to Increase Funds for Veterans

Congressman Steny Hoyer released the following statement today in recognition of Memorial Day and to make note of a series of votes he supported last week that would have increased medical funding for veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve. Congressman Hoyer will observe Memorial Day in Ridge in St. Marys County, Maryland and will give the keynote address at American Legion Post 255 during the Memorial Day ceremony.________________________________________________________________________