Hoyer Remarks at Team Maryland Meeting to Welcome Newly Elected Members

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD), and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) for a media availability in the U.S. Capitol with Congresswoman-elect April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Congresswoman-elect Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), and Congressman-elect Johnny Olszewski (MD-02). Below is a transcript of his remarks:

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD), and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) at media availability in the U.S. Capitol with Congresswoman-elect April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Congresswoman-elect Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), and Congressman-elect Johnny Olszewski (MD-02).

"Thank you, Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen. They talked about the issues that we're going to confront. But we in Maryland confronted an issue in November, and we were extraordinarily successful. We were a delegation of 10 people that shared one thing in common: We're all males. That was not a representative delegation. We now have an extraordinarily broad representation from all of Maryland, and I am so happy about that. Three of our four new members are women. Somebody I'm very close to, Angela Alsobrooks, could not be here. Sheila O'Connell is here, who is the manager of her campaign. Sheila, congratulations to you.

"Congratulations, because Angela Alsobrooks will bring to the Senate not only a representation from the state of Maryland. But also a representation of people who have not been represented very often in the United States, that's women of color in the United States Senate. She's going to be an extraordinary asset. And then we have - and I'll go in order of districts - Sarah Elfreth from the third district, part of which her [Maryland State] Senate District was in my district. And somebody who is no stranger to the House of Representatives and who chaired the spouses' group when her husband, John Delaney, was a member here, and April Delaney is going to be a very strong part of our delegation. April, congratulations to you. Sarah, congratulations to you.

"And then another extraordinary new member of our delegation who's been in the House of Delegates, has a PhD, a County Executive of Baltimore County, brings some extraordinary experience from the local, state, and now, the federal level, to our delegation: Johnny Olszewski. Johnny, good to have you along with us.

"We have a new president. He has started out, in my view, very badly, in a sense of responsibility and doing what's best for America. Maryland is a relatively small delegation. But it is a very involved delegation, a very active delegation, and we suggest that we punch above our weight. And we will have our work cut out for us - in making sure as Chris Van Hollen and Senator Van Hollen - excuse me, Chris Van Hollen, Senator Van Hollen - and Senator Cardin pointed out: Not having the civil service, which is the pride of this country and one of, if not the best in the world - why? Because it is a civil service of merit, not of political alliances or political hacks or political favors. It is a civil service sworn to uphold the law, and to carry out the policies on behalf of the American people.

"We're going to deal with those issues, we're going to deal with the FBI, we're going to deal with the tragic event that happened in Baltimore at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. I applaud the President for coming forward with robust assistance to local communities for the tragedies that have occurred, either natural or, as in the case of Francis Scott Key Bridge, not so natural.

"So we are joined by three extraordinarily capable, experienced people. And a United States senator, who also has been a county executive. So they know how to get things done. And I want to say how proud I am to be co-representative with Glenn Ivey. How sorry I am that Dutch Ruppersberger is going to be retiring, former chairman of the Intel Committee and my colleague on the Appropriations Committee. Dutch, thank you so much for the work you have. And then chairman of one of the most important committees in the Congress, Jamie Raskin, his Oversight Committee. And, did I miss anybody? Oh he's right behind me! Kweisi Mfume, who is a senior Member of the Congress of the United States, and one of the most respected members of our delegation.

"So, we're going to have our work cut out for us, for America. For the kind of America that we want to see. An America that provides opportunity, the equality of treatment, and of a bright future for all of our people, which is, by the way, what we did in the 117th Congress, one of the most productive Congresses - and I've been here since 1981 - that I have served in. A Congress for the people. Let us hope that the people will be served in this upcoming Congress and that we can work constructively with the new president toward that end. Thank you very much, Ben."