The New Congress's 1st Chance To show Their Stuff...
On Tuesday, The 110th Congress will go into what has been dubbed their "1st 100 hours." It's not technically the 1st 100 hours that the new Congress is in existence. That would end somtime Sunday if they were going by that. And it's not the 1st 100 hours from 12:01 Tuesday either. It is the 1st 100 legislative hours, meaning the 1st 100 hours that Congress is in session.
What does the new Congress have in store for the nation? Here is a detailed summary of their agenda. Kind of thier version of the "Contract For America."
Detailed Summary of the "100 Hours" Legislation
Good Government - To ensure this Congress upholds the highest ethical standards, the opening day ethics package begins to sever the connection between lobbyists and legislation, by banning gifts and travel from lobbyists, and ending the abuses connected to privately-funded congressional travel (including corporate jets). The rules package would restore democracy in the House - committing to a fair and open process for amendments and an end to 2-day work weeks; curbing abuses of voting, guaranteeing time to read legislation, and opening up Conference Committees so that the minority is able to participate.
Fiscal Responsibility - This package would require pay-as-you-go budget discipline with no new deficit spending, and require full transparency as well as end the abuse of special interest earmarks. The House rules package will not allow consideration of any bill, amendment or conference report where the mandatory spending (such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and farm bill) or revenue provisions would increase the deficit over the five-year and ten-year windows. Democrats also plan to pursue pay-as-you-go legislation in order to protect our grandchildren from mountains of debt and spur economic growth.
National Security - This bill would provide for the implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations remaining after the enactment of the Intelligence Reform bill in 2004. The bill's provisions include requiring major improvements in aviation security, border security, and infrastructure security; providing first responders the equipment and training they need; beefing up efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction; and significantly expanding diplomatic, economic, educational, and other strategies designed to counter Islamic terrorism.
Fighting Poverty - This bill would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. This would help up to 15 million Americans and their families.
Health Research - The DeGette-Castle stem cell research bill would increase the number of lines of stem cells that would be eligible to be used in federally-funded research. The bill would authorize HHS to support research involving embryonic stem cells meeting certain criteria, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from an embryo. Current policy allows federal funds to be used for research only on those stem cell lines that existed when President Bush issued an executive order on August 9, 2001. The bill only authorizes the use of stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. The bill includes stronger ethical guidelines than the President's current policy.
Affordable Health Care - This bill would repeal the current provision that prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices for those enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans and instead requires the Secretary to conduct such negotiations. The bill also would require the HHS Secretary to submit to the relevant congressional committees a report on the negotiations conducted by the Secretary, not later than June 1, 2007, and every six months thereafter. Under the bill, the Secretary has discretion on how to best implement the negotiating authority and achieve the greatest discounts.
Education Access - This bill would make college more accessible and affordable by cutting the interest rates on subsidized student loans in half - from the current 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. This will significantly cut the student debt burden of about 5 million students.
Clean Energy - This bill would invest in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency by repealing billions in subsidies given to big oil companies that are raking in record profits. Specifically, the measure would ensure oil companies that were awarded the 1998 and 1999 leases for drilling paid their fair share in royalties. It would also close loopholes and end giveaways in the tax code for Big Oil. Finally, the bill would create a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources, promoting new emerging technologies, developing greater efficiency and improving energy conservation.
I'm not gonna coment on how I feel about each individual piece of legislation or policy stance the democrats have taken. But their 1st test, indeed, will be to pass this legislation thru the House Of Respresentatives. The Senate won't see much of this proposed legislation until later this year, so for now, the "ball" is in Speaker Pelosi's court.
We'll see how they do.