Congress in December? Maybe: Hoyer

by Paul West

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said today that Congress could come back next month to deal with the national economic crisis, even as he conceded that action this week on an auto industry bailout looks unlikely.

At a question-and-answer session with reporters at the National Press Club, the second-ranking member of the House said that a December session of Congress is possible.

"The year has not ended," Hoyer said.

He expressed pessimism about the possibility of action this week on an auto industry bailout or a new economic stimulus package. Opposition from Senate Republicans and the Bush administration have dimmed chances for those measures to gain approval from the current Congress.

Hoyer said that an economic conference, planned for the week of December 8, would bring many members of Congress back to Washington. Though it is not a formal session of Congress, it could lead to one, he said.

The Maryland Democrat pointed out that this week's action in Congress, including a lame duck session of the Senate that opened Monday, coincided with previously scheduled meetings by members of both parties to organize committees and elect leaders for the new Congress, which convenes in January.

He said it was still unclear whether the House would even formally go into session this week. But in any case, he said he did not expect the House to adjourn for the remainder of the year.

Hoyer said that dealing with the plight of the Big Three domestic carmakers is "a pressing need," because of the large number of jobs that depend on the auto industry.