[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 200 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9988-H9990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0915
                      THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CONSENSUS

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, as majority leader, there has been no 
benefit of this job that I have appreciated, very frankly, more than my 
magic 1 minute. I intend to take it now.
  My friends on both sides of the aisle may be glad to know that this 
is the last time, perhaps, that I will be able to avail myself of that 
privilege. I intend to use this extended minute to reflect on what we 
have achieved together during recent years and on a principle that I am 
eager for us to continue to apply in the years ahead.
  As Democratic Caucus vice chairman and chairman, as cochair of the 
Democratic Steering Committee, as Democratic whip, and as majority 
leader, I approach my work in leadership with one principle in mind: 
the psychology of consensus.
  What is this psychology of consensus?
  It means having a greater sense of our being in this work together 
than apart.
  It means waking up and saying: I am on the team, the American team, 
privileged as citizens to serve in this body on behalf of all our 
fellow citizens.
  It means setting out with the intention to make progress, not to 
block it; and it means focusing on what unites us as Americans. 
Democrats have put this ethos into practice to hold the party line when 
we needed every vote or nearly every vote. Our Members remind one 
another: Consider how you can be with us before deciding whether to 
have to vote the other way.
  Let me share some examples of this success.
  In 2008, President Bush asked us to take emergency action to prevent 
a financial catastrophe. He was joined by the Secretary of the Treasury 
and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Sadly, in our first effort, 
upon being asked by President Bush, less than one-third of the 
President's party was initially willing to take that action. We needed 
to ensure that we had enough Democratic votes to work with President 
Bush and the Senate to enact that legislation. And we did.
  Not long after, in 2009, our economy was in free fall, the American 
people were struggling, and Congress was divided on how to respond. But 
despite that challenge, Democrats came together to pass the American 
Rescue and Recovery Act. That legislation set our economy on a path to 
recovery, saved and created millions of American jobs, and restored 
confidence in the American Dream.
  The psychology of consensus also helped Democrats deliver a major 
victory for the people in 2010: the Affordable Care Act; for all 
Americans, irrespective of party, giving access to affordable, quality 
healthcare.
  Although there were disagreements on the specifics of how best to 
reform our healthcare system to make it more accessible and affordable, 
we all recognized the urgent need to take action.
  We worked together in good faith to secure the votes for that 
landmark law which made affordable health coverage attainable for 35 
million more Americans, banned discriminatory practices, and 
dramatically slowed the growth of healthcare costs.

[[Page H9989]]

  Interestingly, the model for that was a bill signed by Mitt Romney, 
then-Governor of Massachusetts, now a United States Senator 
representing Utah. Seven years later, consensus among Democrats also 
proved essential as we defended the Affordable Care Act against a 
President and congressional Republicans who were determined to repeal 
it.
  The psychology of consensus benefits not only our Democratic Caucus, 
but I would suggest the entire Congress. We are seeking the psychology 
of consensus as we speak.
  If we focus on what unites us as Americans who serve in the people's 
House, then surely, we can carry out better the people's work. Surely, 
we will not achieve consensus on every issue. If we search, however, 
for common ground before running to our respective corners, then 
compromise and progress become far more likely.
  I learned this lesson early, not only as president of the Maryland 
State Senate but also working together with Democratic and Republican 
House colleagues to achieve bipartisan victories.
  The Americans with Disabilities Act, one of the most consequential 
pieces of legislation in our lifetimes, shines for me as an example of 
that working together. In 1990, I joined with Tom Harkin, Bob Dole, Ted 
Kennedy, Steve Bartlett--a Republican who was the mayor of Dallas after 
he left here--and others as then-President George H.W. Bush signed that 
law into being.
  As a result, those with disabilities must now receive reasonable 
accommodation, have greater access to opportunity, and are treated with 
greater dignity. All of us in this House can take credit for that on 
both sides of the aisle. We achieved that by asking ourselves how we 
could get to ``yes'' on legislation that would benefit literally 
millions and millions of Americans.
  We did it again after the 2000 election revealed serious problems 
with our voting infrastructure. Colleagues from both parties, skilled 
legislators like Bob Ney, my dear friend; Chris Dodd; my good friend 
and still to this day one of my best friends, Roy Blunt; and others sat 
down together. We ultimately secured the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
  The psychology of consensus--coming together, working together, being 
together, and making it happen together--made it possible. It has also 
led many of us to cooperate to promote freedom and human rights around 
the world.
  As a former cochair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, I have been 
honored to meet with those who risk everything to promote freedom and 
democracy in our countries. Democrats and Republicans have worked 
together successfully to support them in that effort and to ensure that 
America remains a bright beacon to all those living in darkness. As 
Reagan pointed out, we are the shining city on the hill. The psychology 
of consensus is needed to keep that city and that beacon shining.
  As part of that commitment to democracy and human rights, I have been 
proud to be a leader of the broad, bipartisan coalition supporting the 
U.S.-Israel relationship and Israel's pursuit of security and peace in 
that region. That effort exemplifies how to build and sustain consensus 
in this House. This bipartisan approach must continue, and I will keep 
working next Congress to ensure that both parties stand firmly with 
Israel.
  Recently, the pivotal 117th Congress gave us example after example 
after example of how this philosophy helps cultivate bipartisanship. 
Both of our parties ought to pursue that. Frankly, we are seeing an 
example of that being elusive for our friends on the other side of the 
aisle as they try to elect a Speaker.
  We came into office facing a cratering economy, a deadly pandemic, 
and grave threats to American democracy. Halfway through, we also had 
to respond to the most serious threat to global security since the 
Second World War: Vladimir Putin's criminal, unjustified, and 
unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
  The margin of our majority was slim, 222-213. Many predicted the math 
would make our efforts to govern unworkable. Two weeks after the 
election in 2020, the Republican leader told reporters: We might not be 
able to schedule the floor, but we are going to run the floor.
  On our side, our psychology of consensus, however, made this one of 
the most productive Congresses in recent history and in which I have 
served.
  Not only by striving for consensus among our caucus, which proved the 
naysayers wrong, but by reaching across the aisle to Republicans--to 
fellow Americans--when we needed their help to deliver results. Indeed, 
however, we ran the floor because of the psychology of consensus.
  Coordinating with the Senate and the Biden administration, our House 
majority enacted major legislation even against unified Republican 
opposition. Our Members stuck together on very tough votes. The 
American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act were the result. 
These laws arrested the economic free fall, deployed hundreds of 
millions of lifesaving vaccine doses, reopened businesses and schools, 
created a historic number of new jobs, and set us up to tackle the 
climate crisis head-on while enabling American workers and 
entrepreneurs to Make It In America.
  Much of our success in the 117th Congress, however, resulted from 
bipartisanship. We encouraged Republican colleagues to ask themselves 
how they could get to ``yes.'' And enough did that we enacted a 
bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the 
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Respect for Marriage Act, and 
other crucial legislation for our country.
  We also resoundingly expressed Americans' support for the people of 
Ukraine by providing critical military and humanitarian aid during 
their hour of danger, our hour of danger, and the world's hour of 
danger.
  Last night we welcomed and cheered Ukraine's courageous President who 
guards the front door of freedom, international order, and a peaceful 
global community based on the rule of law. We must continue to support 
the Ukrainian people for however long it takes to ensure that they 
remain democratic, free, and sovereign.
  John Kennedy--a great hero of mine and an inspiration for my entering 
politics--said at an inaugural address that goes down in history as one 
of the greatest: We will pay any price and bear any burden to defend 
freedom here and around the world.
  That psychology of consensus made the 117th Congress a success. The 
same ethos ought to characterize the next Congress as well, and I will 
work towards that end with my Republican colleagues.
  Our majority will soon come to an end--or, as I believe, a 2-year 
hiatus. The time has come, as President Kennedy said to my generation 
when we were ready to step up and serve, for the torch to be passed.

                              {time}  0930

  I will not be in the elected leadership of my party next Congress. I 
will, however, remain here, serving the country and this institution 
that I love.
  I will keep urging bipartisanship wherever possible and work to unite 
Democrats in opposition whenever circumstances demand.
  I offer Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Clark, and Mr. Aguilar my strongest 
support, the counsel of my experience, and whatever assistance they may 
seek.
  I am excited for them to take the helm. I know they are ready to lead 
us back to the majority and help our Members deliver for the people.
  My colleagues still will see me on the floor regularly as I speak--
albeit more briefly, sadly--on behalf of the people I proudly represent 
in Maryland's Fifth District.
  It is because of their support, their encouragement, and their 
allowance that I have been able to serve in the leadership since 1989 
and serve in this body for over four decades. I am so thankful to them 
and look forward to continuing our work to make Maryland's communities 
safer, stronger, and more prosperous; to make America safer, stronger, 
and more prosperous; and to make our alliance with the rest of the 
world and freedom-loving peoples stronger, safer, and more prosperous.
  We still have much more to do on projects that will benefit our 
districts and our State, and I look forward to returning to the 
Appropriations Committee as a senior member to advance those efforts.
  My work in the House will continue with the same energy, enthusiasm, 
and dedication as I hope I have demonstrated over the last 42 years.

[[Page H9990]]

  I also thank my Democrat colleagues who have supported me in 
leadership. I hope that I have kept the faith. I hope that I have done 
as they would have hoped.
  I hope they believe I have represented our Congress, this 
institution, America, and, yes, my party as they would have expected.
  I am proud to serve with the first woman to be Speaker of this House, 
the indefatigable Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi.
  Our journey of service together began as interns more than five 
decades ago after we heeded President Kennedy's call. We sat together 
in a small office in the Russell Building, working for Maryland Senator 
Daniel Brewster.
  We end two decades of partnership and leading the House Democrats, 
along with our good friend  Jim Clyburn, who I have known for 50 years.
  I salute Speaker Pelosi and her trailblazing tenure.
  We, my colleagues, have had the great privilege of serving with two 
historic Members of this House: John Lewis and Nancy Pelosi.
  Throughout my years in House leadership, I have had the honor of 
employing those I believe are the finest, most capable, and most 
professional staff on Capitol Hill. Nancy said the same of her staff.
  America--we, yes, but America--is blessed by the extraordinary 
patriots that serve as staff of this institution and of individual 
Members. They are extraordinarily able people, and they are great 
patriots.
  Whether with me for two decades or just a few months, they have 
displayed unrivaled dedication, ability, and integrity. I thank each 
and every one of them. They have my gratitude and my deep affection.
  If I sang the praises individually of each member of my team, my 
magic minute would turn into a magic day, so I won't do that. Suffice 
it to say any praise earned by me belongs equally to them.
  A number of them were here in the Capitol on January 6, 2021, a day 
like December 7, 1941, that will live as a day of infamy in the history 
of this Nation.
  They were housed in a small, insular office in my office, terrified 
by those without and in our hallways who called for the death of the 
Speaker and of the Vice President of the United States of America.
  They are an extraordinary group of talented public servants. 
Notwithstanding that terror, they came back the next day to do 
America's work. I thank them for who they are and for what they have 
done.
  Another group of individuals who I have come to know well and who 
have been at my side deserves recognition. The men and women of the 
U.S. Capitol Police who have served on my protective detail are among 
the finest law enforcement professionals in our country.
  They are my friends. They are part of my family. I will love them 
always. I have been privileged to get to know them and their families. 
They are dear, dear friends, and like so many, they are great patriots.
  They are part of a department that has faced enormous strains over 
the past 2 years. We must never waver in our support for the U.S. 
Capitol Police officers, who every day protect all who work in and 
visit this Capitol complex.
  They are the frontline defenders of our legislative branch. They are 
the frontline defenders of our great democracy. We owe them more than 
gratitude; we owe them support.
  Most of all, I thank my family, my wife, Judy, who died much too 
soon; my daughters, Anne, Susan, and Stefany; my son-in-law, Loren; my 
grandchildren, Judy, James, and Alexa, along with Judy's husband, Chris 
Gray. They are the parents of my four great-grandchildren, Ava, 
Braedon, Brooklyn, and Savannah.
  Your love and support have sustained me throughout these years.
  I hope the lessons of my time in leadership and the victories we 
achieved together, Republicans and Democrats, Members of Congress, 435 
people sent here by their neighbors and friends to represent them on 
issues directly affecting them, their families, and their country, I 
hope that those lessons achieved together under our Democratic majority 
will guide the House in meeting the challenges still ahead.
  The psychology of consensus provides us with a blueprint for success. 
We in this House are, after all, all Americans whose common heritage 
should drive us to a common purpose.
  In 2 weeks, there will be a new majority. It will be like ours, a 
very narrow one--indeed, the same margin we have had, 222-213. The 
challenge it poses to both our parties and to each of us and to the 
next Speaker and majority whip is all too familiar.

  Democrats overcame it through the psychology of consensus. All of us, 
all 435 of us, ought to overcome it with that same kind of psychology: 
One Nation under God, indivisible.
  Guided by a dynamic new leadership team of shared vision and 
experience, House Democrats will approach our brief time in the 
minority the same way, ready to continue standing up for our 
principles, for our ideals, and for America with a united front--
hopefully, not just a partisan united front but a united front, 
indivisible.
  Republicans would be wise, I think, to take the same approach and 
seek common ground with Democrats. Did we do it often enough? Maybe 
not. Did we do it successfully? Not always. But together, we must 
achieve consensus.
  Democrats may not schedule the floor next year, but I hope that the 
successful approach we modeled will continue to run the floor.
  Madam Speaker, as we close this 117th Congress, let us look ahead 
with determination and dedication to the cause that brought each of us 
to this Capitol: to serve our constituents, our communities, and our 
country; to preserve and defend our Constitution and our democracy; to 
keep faith with those who protect our Nation and the allies who stand 
alongside us; to represent the American people, to effect their will, 
to reflect their generous spirit and deep sense of justice to the best 
of our ability--in short, to work together to create a more perfect 
Union.
  With great reluctance, and even greater hesitation for this special 
privilege I am about to lose, though with great hope that, in the 
future, I will at least be able to talk, but for all your sakes, not as 
long, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________