By Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th)
This week, I joined President Obama, Members of Congress, and fiscal experts and advocates at the White House for a Summit on Fiscal Responsibility. This was a positive step as we begin to address our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges. By allowing us an early opportunity to come together for an honest discussion of fiscal realities, President Obama clearly showed his commitment to responsibility and the "change" he promised.
On Tuesday, the President addressed a Joint Session of Congress to describe the challenges facing our nation and his vision for how we will meet this moment in history and turn adversity into opportunity.
The President followed his address by delivering a budget outline to Congress on Thursday that lays the groundwork for addressing the challenges we face while getting our country out of its fiscal mess. This is an honest budget that no longer hides major costs, such as the war in Iraq. It aims to reverse the record deficits and debt that were largely brought on by years of reckless borrowing, makes the tough decisions necessary to help restore fiscal responsibility, and calls for bold investments in critical areas to ensure that our economy is strong for years to come. I look forward to working with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress in the days and months ahead to enact an honest and responsible budget.
I’m also pleased that the Senate passed the D.C. House Voting Rights Act yesterday. I think it is morally wrong that the District of Columbia's 600,000 citizens are precluded from having their representative vote in Congress. I'm confident that we have the votes in the House to pass Congresswoman Norton’s legislation, and I look forward to holding a vote next week.
In addition to the vote on the D.C. House Voting Rights Act, I also expect the House to finish consideration and vote on the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which will help responsible American families struggling to keep their homes in this economic downturn.