Steny H. Hoyer

• yea
  2/3 Yea-And-Nay

  2026-04-30

• nay
  Yea-and-Nay

  2026-04-30

• yea
  Yea-and-Nay

  2026-04-30

• nay
  Recorded Vote

  2026-04-30

No sponsored bills found.

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  “Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Paul Marchand. With World Down Syndrome Day approaching this Saturday, this seemed an appropriate time to honor a titan in the national disability rights and disability policy community whose work transformed the lives of millions of people with disabilities and their families. I have long admired him and his profound influence across the disability advocacy community--an arena in which I, too, have had the honor to work alongside countless families, advocates, and organizations. Over more than four decades, Paul Marchand helped shape the very foundation of modern federal disability policy. Before coming to Washington, Paul served as a special education teacher and as a leader in Rhode Island's developmental disability community--bringing a deep understanding of families, educators, and individuals on the ground to his national work. Paul joined The Arc of the United States' Public Policy Office in 1973 and became its Director in 1975. At a time when the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were too often ignored, he fought to ensure that those voices were heard within the halls of Congress and across the federal government. He also helped found what became the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities, and he served as its Chair from 1975 through 2000. During his tenure, the coalition grew from fewer than a dozen organizations to a coalition of more than hundred disability organizations nationwide. The consummate consensus-builder, Paul united a diverse community around common goals of civil rights, inclusion, and opportunity. Paul was deeply involved in the passage of some of the most consequential pieces of disability-rights legislation in our Nation's history. That includes early victories in the movement, including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act in 1980, and Child Abuse Treatment Amendments of 1984. He played a leading role in securing the enactment of each of these laws. Crucially, he was a champion for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which I was proud to sponsor in the House alongside my friend Tony Coelho. That historic bill didn't just change the law; it changed hearts and minds across America. It changed how Americans perceive and treat the disability community. Paul helped make it happen. He did the same with the ADA Amendments Act in 2008. Additionally, he helped secure nine reauthorizations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, helping expand early intervention services, preschool programs, family supports, and legal protections for children with disabilities and their families. He was equally influential in strengthening employment opportunities and protections through repeated reauthorizations of the Rehabilitation Act, including the creation of supported employment, and in embedding disability provisions into broader workforce and job training legislation. In addition to his legislative work, Paul served in leadership roles with the Center on Effective Government, SourceAmerica, and the American Association of People with Disabilities, and he was appointed by the Clinton Administration to the National Commission on Childhood Disability. Paul retired in 2011 believing that the disability movement stood on the threshold of full inclusion. His optimism was rooted not in rhetoric but in decades of hard-earned progress shaped by his integrity, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the worth of every person. While we continue to work toward that goal, we get closer to its fulfillment seemingly every day. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is more just, more accessible, and more compassionate because of Paul Marchand's life of service. I am honored to recognize his remarkable legacy and to extend the gratitude of this House to a man who devoted his career to expanding opportunity and protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities. I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking him. ____________________”

  2026-03-19 · Civil Rights

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  “Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, March is National Kidney Month--a fitting time to pay tribute to an organization that has not only changed lives but saved them by expanding access to kidney transplants from living donors: Kidneys for Communities. With a special focus on aiding first responders, children, and people in agricultural communities, Kidneys for Communities developed the first-ever national community-directed donation program. It helps educate and connect donors and recipients by leveraging its massive network of communities, employers, municipalities, and first responder organizations. At a time when we face a national kidney shortage, with some 100,000 Americans needing a kidney at any given moment but only an average of 6,500 living kidney donations made each year, this type or proactive outreach has never been more important. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am particularly grateful for the organization's Kidneys for First Responders initiative. I thank the entire team at Kidneys for Communities for their work not only this month but year-round. They have done a terrific job supporting this effort to ensure our firefighters and other first responders receive the support they need. Kidney disease affects tens of millions of Americans in every neighborhood, town, city, district, and state in the Nation. It demands the attention of every Member of this Congress. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Kidneys for Communities for making America a healthier, stronger Nation. ____________________”

  2026-03-03 · Healthcare

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  “Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the founders of the Tobacco Barn Distillery in my district: Dan Dawson, Sean Coogan, and Scott Sanders. Their Maryland Bourbon Cream recently placed first in the Nation in the American Craft Spirits Association's 2025 ``Beyond Bourbon'' category. Since its founding as the first licensed distillery in St. Mary's County back in 2014, the Tobacco Barn Distillery has been an institution in our community. Dan, Sean, and Scott transformed their former tobacco farm into a true ``dirt to bottle'' distillery, growing the corn that goes into their bourbons themselves. From the start, three principles have guided their enterprise. First, they maintain a high standard of excellence for their product, ensuring that every bottle of their spirits exceeds expectations. Second, they are committed to caring for the land and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Accordingly, they practice ``no till'' farming, applying minimal fertilizer, and recycle 100 percent of their cooling water. They are even members of the Maryland Green Registry. Third, they pride themselves on being community oriented and community driven, believing that their success is linked to the success of the people and local businesses around them. I also ought to note, Mr. Speaker, that the Tobacco Barn Distillery is a Veteran-owned business and a strong supporter of numerous charities benefiting our Veterans. I don't drink, but I'm told their product is as good as their values. No wonder the Tobacco Barn Distillery has earned national recognition. In addition to its recent award, it was named America's number 1 ``Farmer-Distiller'' by the American Craft Spirits Association in 2023 and 2024. Mr. Speaker, I have long championed my Make It In America agenda. The only thing better than making it in America is making it in Maryland. The Tobacco Barn Distillery is a paragon of that principle. Dan, Sean, and Scott continue a rich, centuries-old tradition of distilling in our state. They carry on the legacy of Hayden, Willett, Mattingly, Dant, and Wathen, who all got their start in Maryland before building up the bourbon industry in Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, Dan, Sean, and Scott do our county and our state proud. I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking them for giving back to their community and in congratulating them on this recent, well- deserved award. ____________________”

  2026-02-02 · Economy

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