Steny H. Hoyer

U.S. House

Three years later, Hoyer returned to politics when Rep. Gladys Noon Spellman (D-Md.) fell into a coma. He edged out Spellman’s husband in a special election and has been easily reelected since then. He was deputy majority whip from 1987 to 1989, and served as chairman of the Democratic Caucus from 1989 until 1994.

When he first ran for majority leader in 1991, Hoyer lost to David Bonior (D-Mich.). It would not be the last time Hoyer came out on the losing end of a intraparty contest. He and Pelosi first butted heads in 2000 when, wrongly expecting that the Democrats would win a majority in that election, both Democrats campaigned for majority whip. Since Democrats didn't win a majority, that election never happened, but it set the stage for a heated battle for minority whip when Bonior stepped down in 2001, with Pelosi coming out on top.

After House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) stepped aside following the 2002 elections, Pelosi succeeded Gephardt, and Hoyer was unanimously elected minority whip. A moderate Democrat, Hoyer has split with his party to vote for balanced budget amendments and to authorize military action in Iraq in 2002. But Hoyer’s tactical prowess is unquestioned; he earned praise for effectively corralling votes as minority whip, leading to greater party unity in 2003 than in any year since 1960.Hsu, Spencer, "Hoyer 'Made to order' as minority whip," The Washington Post, Feb. 23, 2004

In 2006, Hoyer had no Republican opponent, allowing him to travel the country campaigning for Democrats and to raise large amounts of money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

After Democrats reclaimed the majority in 2006, Hoyer expected to move into the role of majority leader as Pelosi became speaker. But he was challenged for that post by Murtha, a Pelosi ally behind whom the new speaker threw her considerable weight. Despite Pelosi’s opposition, Hoyer won that race by a large margin and he and Pelosi have been forced to work together.Biographical and career data taken from Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, and Hoyer’s official Web site 

Iraq and FISA

Hoyer is not afraid to vote for what he believes in, something that has gotten him into hot water with Democrats. The biggest point of contention with his colleagues was his initial support for the Iraq war.

In October 2002, Hoyer voted to authorize military action in Iraq with the goal of starting an independent democracy in the region, and he has consistently taken a more moderate view than his Democratic colleagues on the war.Valdez, Jessica, “For Hoyer, a Balancing of Roles,” the Washington Post, Aug. 28, 2004;

In May 2007, he opposed much of his party in voting to provide funding for the war without requiring a timeline for U.S. withdrawal. He was also the lead Democratic negotiator for the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, empowering the attorney general and director of national intelligence to authorize electronic surveillance of terrorist suspects.Washington Post Votes Database  Hoyer said he did not support giving immunity to telecommunications companies, a provision that was ultimately included in the final bill. But he argued that Democrats needed to cut a deal to avoid being accused of weakness on national security during the 2008 elections.Pershing, Ben, “Capitol Briefing: Player of the Week: Steny Hoyer,” The Washington Post, June 20, 2008

Despite Hoyer's reputation as a pro-war moderate, he worked with both Pelosi and Murtha to get Democrats to oppose President Bush’s 2007 troop surge while continuing funding for the war.Kaplan, Jonathan E., “Dems seek clean Iraq resolution,” The Hill, Feb. 8, 2007 In recent years, Hoyer has become a more aggressive advocate of redeployment to begin bringing troops home and transfer more responsibility to Iraqi forces.Hoyer, Steny, “Statement on Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act,”Hoyer Floor Speech.

The Economy

Hoyer supported President Obama's first major legislative victory in February 2009 with the passage of an $787 billion economic stimulus package, despite the spending and tax cuts being scaled back by Senate leaders. But he reportedly urged Speaker Pelosi to stand up to Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) in future legislative battles and force those opposed to legislation to follow through on threats to filibuster.

In fall 2008, Hoyer’s moderate views and fiscal conservatism put him in a difficult position. He reluctantly supported the Bush administration’s $700 billion bailout package, saying he and other fiscally-conservative Democrats were angry about provisions to extend an array of tax breaks worth $100 billion.  "Frankly, we really don't have much flexibility, and this is important to do," he said.Montgomery, Lori and Murray, Shailagh, “Senate Approves Bailout,”The Washington Post, Oct. 2, 2008

Hoyer worked hard to make sure the bill passed and criticized the Republican leadership for not contributing enough votes. He described the bill as “essential” while saying he had reservations about the magnitude of it.Hoyer, Steny, “Hoyer remarks at press conference following vote on financial recovery package,” Sept. 29, 2008

The Budget and Trade

Hoyer is a staunch advocate of reducing the budget deficit and has called the Bush administration "the most fiscally irresponsible administration in history" because of its tax policies. "We have undermined our ability to invest in things that have a big payoff," he said.Valdez, Jessica, “For Hoyer, a Balancing of Roles,” the Washington Post, Aug. 28, 2004

Hoyer broke with most Democrats in 1995 to vote for President Clinton’s balanced budget amendment and again in 2007 to vote against a patch for the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which taxes wealthy individuals but has increasingly hit the middle class. Hoyer voted against the patch, which would have raised the income level at which people were taxed, because the patch did not determine how to pay for the lost revenu. “It is a loss for the country if we don't pay for it,” Hoyer told The Washington Post. “I think you are right to rake us over the coals for passing an unpaid-for AMT.”Editorial, “A Bad Patch,” The Washington Post, Dec. 8, 2007

Locally, Hoyer has pushed for funding for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, dredging of the bay for Baltimore harbor and more spending for the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., as a member of the Appropriations Committee.Valdez, Jessica, “For Hoyer, a Balancing of Roles,” the Washington Post, Aug. 28, 2004

As a believer in free trade, he supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has been an advocate of normal trade relations with China. He has also supported trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, Australia and Bahrain.Swanson, Ian, “Free-trade deals face rocky path,” The Hill, Sept. 4, 2007 

Health-Care Reform

Hoyer has been a bit coy about his positions on health care reform, but at a townhall meeting in September 2009, he came out forcefully in favor of the public option.Zongker, Brett, "Hoyer Maintains Support for Public Option," Associated Press, Sept. 1, 2009