Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) Photo by Benjamin J. Myers

In the first seven months of the 110th Congress, the new Democratic majority has built a strong record, achieving great unity within our caucus, showing a great willingness to reach across the aisle for bipartisan support, and making great progress on the issues that matter most to the American people.

Last November, voters called for a new direction. And we have delivered — passing legislation that defends our nation, grows our economy, protects our children and strengthens families, preserves our planet, and restores accountability to the federal government.

An obvious priority has been our effort to forge a new direction — and a responsible redeployment — in Iraq. Without question, we have fundamentally changed the debate over this continuing war, holding the Bush administration and the Iraqi government accountable for making progress for the first time in more than four years. Make no mistake, both Democrats and Republicans are committed to policies that will defeat and eliminate terrorists. However, House Democrats
believe that our current strategy in Iraq is failing and must change.

The president’s first benchmark report and last week’s National Intelligence Estimate offer ample evidence that America is falling far short of achieving its goals. And thus, House Democrats will continue to push the Administration to abandon its “stay-the-course” strategy.

House Democrats also are absolutely committed to restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the last six years, Republicans pursued the most irresponsible fiscal policies in American history, turning a projected 10-year budget surplus of $5.6 trillion into a deficit of nearly $3 trillion.

We began to reverse those policies on our very first day as the majority — restoring the pay-as-you-go budget rules that led to record budget surpluses under the Clinton administration. Furthermore, we adopted a budget resolution that brings our budget back to balance by 2012, and does so without raising taxes.

Additionally, we passed our “100 Hours Agenda” with strong bipartisan support. In fact, we received an average of 62 Republican votes in implementing key 9/11 Commission recommendations (68 Republicans voting aye), raising the minimum wage (82 Republicans), promoting stem cell research (37 Republicans), cutting student loan interest rates (124 Republicans), rolling back taxpayer subsidies to oil companies (36 Republicans), and lowering the cost of prescription drugs (24 Republicans).

In fact, just two days ago, millions of minimum-wage earners who work hard and play by the rules began receiving their first pay raise in 10 years, due to our efforts. The president unfortunately vetoed the bipartisan stem cell research bill, which is broadly supported by the American people. And, we hope to send the 9/11 Commission recommendations legislation to the president’s desk before the August district work period.

We also have passed legislation that:

Makes the largest increase in veterans’ healthcare and services in our nation’s history (409-2, with 185 Republicans).
Provides the largest increase in student aid programs since the G.I. Bill, while reducing the deficit by $750 million (273-149, with 47 Republicans).

Puts 50,000 additional police officers on our streets over the next six years (381-34, with 157 Republicans).
Restores confidence in government by implementing the most sweeping ethics reforms since Watergate (396-22, with 186 Republicans).

Provides overdue assistance to the Gulf Coast region, which is still recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (several bills).

Keeps America competitive in the global economy by adopting an Innovation Agenda that focuses on science and math education (several bills).

Ensures that hundreds of thousands of children from 14 states have health insurance (348-73, with 123 Republicans).

In the days ahead, we will complete our appropriations work, and consider: a farm bill that makes fundamental reform to our farm assistance programs; the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that will cover millions of children who have no health insurance today; real, meaningful lobby reform; and a comprehensive reform package to promote energy independence and curb global warming. And clearly, we will continue to consider measures that strengthen America’s national security, enhance our ability to fight and defeat terrorists, and responsibly redeploys our forces in Iraq and allows us to rebuild our military.

To date, the 110th Congress has been defined by the new direction the American people demanded in November, even though many items on our positive agenda have been delayed and obstructed by Republicans. In the coming weeks, Democrats will continue to move forward with that agenda, fight for the priorities of the American people, and demonstrate that we have a clear vision and the determination to make it a reality.


Hoyer is the House majority leader.