Talk to Rep. Steny Hoyer

Tue Nov 28, 7:17 AM ET

The latest guest on Talk to Power is Rep. Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record), who was recently tapped as the House majority leader in the wake of the Democratic Party's sweep of Congress.

Over the course of two days, we received more than 400 questions and comments for the Maryland Democrat.  Thanks to readers and to Rep. Hoyer for participating.

Rep. Steny Hoyer

Rep. Hoyer is known as a moderate able to work with lawmakers across the political spectrum. A graduate of the University of Maryland and Georgetown University Law School, he won a seat in the Maryland Senate at age 27, in 1966.  He won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1981.

An AP profile of Rep. Hoyer described him as "a mainstream Democrat on most issues, supporting health and education programs and opposing the Republican tax cuts."  But it also noted that he has been more pro-defense and pro-free trade than many of his Democratic colleagues, and that he voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement and trade relations with China. He supported the Republicans' unsuccessful attempt to approve a balanced budget amendment in 1995 and voted in 2002 to authorize military action in

Iraq.

Below are some highlights of readers' comments. 

Encouraging bipartisanship

What's on the minds of Yahoo! readers? Health care costs, the minimum wage, and

Social Security were just some of the topics raised.  But more than anything, readers asked if the change in control of Congress might also lead to a less polarized political process.

One reader wrote: "Infighting between the parties has become unbearable... As an independent voter I was glad to see some change on the hill, however, if it only leads to partisan actions by the democrats I will have to again question the effectiveness of our leaders. When we become less concerned with the letter behind someone's name and start focusing on the real issues that face this country, then and only then can we overcome those who wish to harm us. It is only through united leadership from our elected officials that we can acheive our goals in this country. Thank you to Rep. Hoyer for having the vision to listen to those who put him in office."

Along the same lines, another reader offered a plea for cooperation: "What can you do to ensure that the Democrats really don't treat the Republicans like the Republicans treated the Democrats during the last congressional sessions? I feel the Democrats now have a chance to impress upon reasonable voters their true love and appreciation for fairness and intelligent decision-making through hearing BOTH sides of the story."

On health care reform

Beyond partisan politics, health care was among the most common topics on the board, with dozens of readers raising concerns about cost and availability. "Thank you for fielding our questions. I was wondering when you think we will have health care for everyone living in America, so that we stop lagging behind other countries..."

On the environment vs. the economy 

The Democrats' victory in November has fed expectations for a renewed focus on environmental regulation.  One reader posed the question of environmental protection this way: "If you were forced to choose between meaningful environmental and energy policy reforms that would prepare and protect us from the twin perils of global warming and peak oil... Or...Helping America's corporations to continue to have a healthy and growing bottom line.  Which would you choose? Obviously we would all prefer that both happen (and will strive to do so) but if protecting the environment and preparing America for peak oil must cause significant financial pain for Wall Street (will you and our Democratic Congress) be able to take the heat and do the right thing?"

Another responded with this comment: "Often times, people think that being environmentally responsible means adversely impacting the economy. This is short-sighted thinking and irrational. Case in point, US automakers cannot sell US-made cars in other countries, like China, because out fuel economy standards in the US are lower than in China. When it comes to the environment, will you be forward-thinking and realize that the environment and the economy has a non-zero sum relationship? The US can, once again, be the leader on environmental issues and reap the economic rewards of improved public health and a reduction in global greenhouse gases, which threatens everyone. But this can only happen with forward-thinking leaders in Congress."

On election reforms and vote counts

As with previous guests, readers voiced concern about problems with vote counting.

"Will Congress finally address the issue of our ridiculously flawed elections, and mandate reasonable election formats (including voter-verifiable paper ballots, mandatory random recounts and removal of partisan officials from the process), such as are normal in most of the first world? Currently, with computer-based voting systems, Americans cannot be sure that the will of the people is being followed. It would seem to me that "electile dysfunction" is the most immediate threat to our democracy, as the vote is the vehicle through which all our other rights are awarded."

On Social Security -- now and down the road

Social Security has been a perennial topic on the Talk to Power boards. One reader posed this question: "The growth of federal entitlement programs - both real and projected - threatens to overwhelm Congress's ability to deal with other problems facing the country. What will Democrats do in the 110th Congress to shore up Social Security and Medicare that will make it past the President's veto pen?"

Another reader wondered about the longer-term impact (and the longer-term beneficiaries). "Will the Democrats represent Generation-X better than the Republicans? Will your political party work toward Social Security reforms for future generations?"

On stricter bankruptcy law

"The generation graduating from college today is saddled with heavy debt. Falling wages and rising costs have made it harder and harder for many to keep their head above water. Yet you voted for a bill pushed by the credit card companies that makes it harder for people to file for bankruptcy. Jobs are being outsourced and people can't afford health care....How do you square your vote with Democratic principles, which seek to maximize opportunity for all, especially the middle class and the working poor? Are you willing to reconsider this legislation?"

On Iraq

Although the topic of the war in Iraq did not dominate the conversation as it has with previous guests, it was still a common concern.  Here is what one reader had to say: "No matter who or what is to blame, it's undeniable that we caused the mess in Iraq. Therefore we have a profound ethical obligation to the Iraqis to do all we can to clean it up. How can we morally consider abandoning them? Why are no politicans or pundits, Republican or Democratic, willing to talk about this? How can we expect to be considered a beacon of morality to the world if we don't clean up our messes?" 

On cutting the pork

Many readers expressed frustration with political pork and power-brokering.

"What steps will the new leadership in both houses take to restore a greater measure of confidence in the political process?" asked one reader. "With the seemingly ongoing ethics scandals, much of the public (especially those who are approaching voting age) feels disenfranchised and apathetic. How do I as a HS civics teacher help to restore an interest in participatory democracy when the negative actions of some receive such wide attention?"

Along the same lines, another asked about restricting lobbyists' access. "It seems that no politician wants to change the absurd amount of access and influence lobyists have in Washington. After this year's elections results it is obvious that we the people want changes to be made."

On the draft

"Will the Democratic leadership bring up Congressman Charlie Rangel's impending bill to call for a national service draft and have an up or down vote on it? Do you agree with him that it would deter future presidents from committing troops who might be the sons and daughters of that president's natural constituency? Or do you believe that it is just a stunt like he pulled last time when he voted against his own amendment? Thanks."


Next: Talk to Karen Hughes
Previous: Sen. Thad Cochran responds

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Comments

Join the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
Have you come up with the top three items you feel you can accomplish in the next six months. Name calling and political agendas are all that we can see from Washington from both parties, no commitment or time table.
Posted by pwiesen@pacbell.net on Tue, Nov 28, 2006 12:05 PM ET
2
I would be interested in Rep.Hoyer's opinion on whether we face new economic fears...most importantly higher taxes on those in the 40-60,000 group. I already hear of possible increases in social security taxes and wonder that, despite the fact that the Democratic surge was based on candidates with centrist positions, most of the new leadership is composed of veterans who are decidedly liberal in position. New efforts to "tax the rich" are being touted, but I see things like my son working in the tourism industry for minimum wage now in danger of losing his job because a business needs to protect profit and there are only so many places which can be cut. I am not certain that all conservative plans are fruitful, but have a genuine fear that a lot of knee jerk legislation is in the offing which will punish investment and job creation in the private sector. public job growth is not the answer as we will have to pay for that and eventually the middle class pays for most. What assurances do we have that a growing economy will continue to grow?
Posted by mbakjcaw on Tue, Nov 28, 2006 12:05 PM ET
3
Part D of Medicare is completely unfair to my family. The only medicine I am taking is Vytorin, but it is not allowed under Medicare, part D this year. I undersatnd that I will be penalized at 1% premium increase monthlt for not joining! My wife is healthy and does not need any medication. When she join in the future, she will be penalized even more. Will the new Democratic majority address this problem? My wife and I vote for the entire Democratic ticket in the last November election for that reason!
Posted by namswong on Tue, Nov 28, 2006 12:06 PM ET
4
will the bickering between parties ever disolve and turn into a unified body willing to strive for the greater good of not only this nation, but the world?
Posted by rastoner510 on Tue, Nov 28, 2006 12:06 PM ET
5
With the changes in the house and senate will our government call for a re-structure in this so called war. Are we going to rebuild everything that was destroyed and let our fighting soldiers stay and make sure it is done.
Posted by anniek692001 on Tue, Nov 28, 2006 12:13 PM ET