Steny Hoyer

LOUISVILLE-- Following a meeting with U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) and an array of Louisville government and community leaders at the Muhammad Ali Center, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said a second economic stimulus package could be passed "as early as next month" and would focus on job creation and infrastructure investment.

Joined by Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Yarmuth at a press conference following the meeting, Hoyer said the nation was in a "severe economic downturn." He suggested a second stimulus package would differ from last year's proposal - when taxpayers received a rebate check - and instead address "specific needs," including bolstering unemployment insurance, food stamps, and infrastructure rebuilding.

The appearance by the Majority Leader obviously had a political tinge, occurring just eight days before the general election when Yarmuth will again face his 2006 opponent, former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Louisville) in the race for the 3rd Congressional District.

Amid his discussion of the economy, Hoyer also praised the Louisville Democrat in front of cameras and local reporters.

"You can tell a lot about a candidate for Congress by what he asks you to do when you come to his town or his district or his state," said Hoyer. "One of the things that John Yarmuth made sure that I did when I was here was sit down with the folks in Louisville and Jefferson County and talk about the needs of the community."

State Sen. David BoswellAfter being omitted from two rounds of television ad buys by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign of state Sen. David Boswell (D-Owensboro) is finally rallying some national attention for their efforts in the 2nd Congressional District race.

According to campaign advisor Jim Cole, a fundraiser hosted by former governor and U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford (D-Owensboro) and U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) is in the works for Boswell.

Ford currently holds the record as Kentucky's longest serving U.S. senator, having held that office for four terms until his retirement in 1998, while Hoyer packs his own fundraising punch as the second-ranking U.S. House Democrat.

Boswell is aiming to end a fourteen-year Republican hold on the 2nd District, which is open after current incumbent U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis (R-Cecilia) announced his retirement in January.