House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., speaks during a recent news conference on Capitol Hill. Hoyer says he has met privately with GOP members about avoiding the pending sequester cuts. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 27: House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill December 27, 2012 in Washington, DC. Hoyer urged Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) to reconvene the House to deal with the “Fiscal Cliff.” (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)