WASHINGTON (Sept. 24, 2008)—Southern Maryland's congressional representative, and House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D) and Md. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D) both commented today on the announcement that Sen. McCain will suspend his presidential campaign and wants to delay Friday's scheduled debate.
Mikulski released the following statement:
"We need solutions, not John McCain's grandstanding. Congress must take prompt but deliberate action to resolve the credit crisis. John McCain returning to Washington does nothing to move us forward. Instead, he is putting politics in front of finding a real solution to this issue."
Hoyer released the following statement:
"Congress is working in a bipartisan manner around the clock to develop the best response to the economic crisis.
"We are making progress and injecting presidential politics in this critical issue would not be helpful to quickly producing the best proposal for the American people.
"Senator McCain sounds like a man in a 100 yard race who is 50 yards out, 25 yards behind and wants to suspend the race.
"With the election only a few weeks away, the American people deserve to hear from the presidential candidates on a variety of issues. The best forum for this type of discourse is a debate and the campaigns owe it to the American public to proceed as planned.
"Senator Obama called Senator McCain this morning to ask him to join in a joint statement of principles on a response to the financial crisis. It would be helpful for Mr. McCain to follow Mr. Obama's lead."