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The Honorable Steny Hoyer

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer discussed some of the major and most difficult issues that will face the winner of the 2008 presidential election, both at home and abroad. Highlighting the damage that policies which allowed torture have done to the United States’ image around the world, he expressed hope that the next president would work to restore America’s standing and the respect and admiration that has traditionally existed for our values and policies. He believes that U.S. military readiness is at one of its lowest points in history, and that this must be improved for reasons of national security. Along these lines, Rep. Hoyer noted that energy independence is essential to national security, the economy and to the environment. He also discussed the real need to pursue nuclear non-proliferation. Domestically, the next president will be facing immense challenges with Social Security, Medicare, and the dangerously high deficit. For America to be strong abroad, Hoyer said, America must be strong at home, and these three challenges, amongst several others, must be faced sooner rather than later. According to Hoyer, tackling these issues will require the determination and compromise of our leaders, and an understanding that they will only be solved by everyone working together.