Hoyer Promises Dems Will Govern Responsibly, Work to Restore Economy

"Minorities don't win elections, and majorities often lose them," said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who spoke at Nov. 18 Newsmaker about the agenda for the 111th Congress and President-elect Obama.

Now that Democrats are a national party for the first time in decades, "we must govern from the middle," he said, adding that "we will govern responsibly."

American voters found Republican ideas wanting on Nov. 4, and it's possible that Republicans will now move toward a narrow agenda, Hoyer said.

He said Congress and Obama are focused on restoring the health of the economy, but fiscal
responsibility must be the watchword, adding that health care is an "urgent priority."

Smart spending can lead to long-term fiscal health, and wise defense spending is our best security, he said.

Congress should end the U.S. oil addiction, help states with Medicare assistance, and modernize the energy grid, Hoyer said.