House Majority Leader-elect Vows to Use First 100 Hours to Start Giving America Back to the American People
WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader-elect Steny Hoyer today released the schedule for the first 100 legislative hours of the 110th Congress. The 100 hours will begin on Tuesday, January 9th.
"Next week, the clock will start ticking on the 100 hours agenda," said Hoyer. "Democrats ran on this agenda and were elected on this agenda. We promised the American people swift passage of these bills and we fully intend to make good on that promise."
The major items that Hoyer outlined for the first 100 hours are consistent with promises he made on Nov. 8, 2005 when he
said that Democrats would "take America in a new direction." In that same statement, Hoyer concluded by saying, "Finally, we believe it is long past time that the United States Congress fulfills its constitutional obligation to conduct meaningful, responsible oversight." ( See
Hoyer, Democrats Promise to Take
America in New Direction )
According to Hoyer, the 100 hours schedule will proceed as follows:
Tuesday, January 9 - Implement the 9/11 Commission Recommendations
Wednesday, January 10 - Increase the Minimum Wage
(See Hoyer: In Honor of Labor Day, Raise the Minimum Wage, Sept. 4, 2006;
Hoyer Blasts Republicans for Failure of Minimum Wage Increase, Aug. 4, 2006;
House Democrats/Hoyer Still Fighting
for Minimum Wage Increase Vote Before Summer Recess, July 28, 2006 )
Thursday, January 11 - Expand Stem Cell Research
Friday, January 12 - Allow Negotiation for Lower Prescription Drug Costs
( See Hoyer, Cardin Criticize
Medicare Benefit, Nov. 1, 2005 )
Wednesday, January 17 - Cut Interest Rates on Student Loans
( See Maryland Students Could Pay
at Least $2477 More for College Starting Today, July 1, 2006 )
Thursday, January 18 - End Subsidies for Big Oil and Invest in Renewable Energy
( See Hoyer Statement In Opposition To Republican Energy Bill, April 21, 2005;
Congress Finally Ready to Make Serious
Move on Alternative Fuel Strategy, July 10, 2006 )