House Democrats beat 100-hour clock
House Democrats beat 100-hour clock
By Deborah Barfield Barry, Gannett News ServiceWASHINGTON — Democrats cheered Friday over completing their 100-hour agenda with time to spare."We did what we promised we would do," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday, "This is just the beginning. ... I'm very proud of what our Congress has done."
Late Thursday, Democrats, who ousted Republicans from control of Congress in November, wrapped up the six-item legislative agenda they had vowed to pass in the first 100 hours of legislative business. The clock started ticking Jan. 9.
Before the 100-hour agenda, House Democrats pushed through some internal rule changes that included a ban on gifts from lobbyists and more disclosures of lawmakers' pet projects or "earmarks."
The fate of the 100-hour measures, however, is far from certain. They must move through the slower, more deliberative Senate where Democrats hold a narrow majority. President Bush, who must sign the measures into law, has already said he would veto the stem cell legislation.
"As it stands, many of the flawed 100-hour bills either face an uphill battle in the Senate or are destined to the veto pen," Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement.
Republican leaders blasted the Democratic agenda and what they called a "rush" to move legislation. They complained that Democrats "rammed" measures through, bypassing the legislative process by not holding hearings or allowing amendments.
Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., chairman of the House Republican Conference, called the agenda a "watered-down slate of so-called reforms that will never become law in their current form."
But Democrats noted that an average of 62 Republicans sided with them on the measures. They also dismissed criticism that Democrats only considered less controversial issues in their 100-hour timetable.
Some critics will say "we picked the easy stuff, the low hanging fruit, but I say if it were so easy, why haven't we raised the minimum wage in 10 years," said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the majority whip.
Here are the bills passed under the 100-hour agenda and the votes:
9/11 Commission recommendations
The House approved legislation 299-128 that would require increased screening of airline and port cargo and change how federal security grants are distributed. Senate Democrats are expected to propose a measure, but Republicans have raised concerns about costs. Bush opposes many of the House provisions.
Minimum wage
The House approved legislation 315-116 that would increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. The Senate is expected to consider a minimum wage increase as soon as next week, but is likely to include tax breaks for small businesses. Bush has said he supports tax breaks for small businesses.
Stem cell
The House approved a measure 253-174 that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The Senate passed a similar bill last year, but Bush vetoed it then and says he will do it again.
Medicare
The House passed a bill 255-170 that would require the Department of Health and Human Services secretary to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug costs under Medicare. Some key Senate Democrats have expressed reservations. Bush and federal health officials strongly oppose the measure.
Education
The House approved legislation 356-71 to cut interest rates from 6.8% to 3.4% for subsidized student loans over five years. Senate Democrats are expected to propose a more comprehensive package. Bush opposes the measure.
Energy
The House passed a measure 264-163 Thursday that would repeal some tax breaks to the oil and gas companies. It would shift $14 billion in revenues to research renewable energy sources. Some Senate Republicans take issue with what they call a tax increase. Bush said he opposes raising corporate taxes.
Democratic leaders promise more ahead, including lobbying changes, immigration overhauls and more energy proposals.
"Yes, we're far away from getting done, but you can't get started until you do what we've just done," said Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Posted 1/19/2007 8:51 AM ET
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-01-19-first-hours_x.htm?csp=34
By Deborah Barfield Barry, Gannett News ServiceWASHINGTON — Democrats cheered Friday over completing their 100-hour agenda with time to spare."We did what we promised we would do," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday, "This is just the beginning. ... I'm very proud of what our Congress has done."
Late Thursday, Democrats, who ousted Republicans from control of Congress in November, wrapped up the six-item legislative agenda they had vowed to pass in the first 100 hours of legislative business. The clock started ticking Jan. 9.
Before the 100-hour agenda, House Democrats pushed through some internal rule changes that included a ban on gifts from lobbyists and more disclosures of lawmakers' pet projects or "earmarks."
The fate of the 100-hour measures, however, is far from certain. They must move through the slower, more deliberative Senate where Democrats hold a narrow majority. President Bush, who must sign the measures into law, has already said he would veto the stem cell legislation.
"As it stands, many of the flawed 100-hour bills either face an uphill battle in the Senate or are destined to the veto pen," Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement.
Republican leaders blasted the Democratic agenda and what they called a "rush" to move legislation. They complained that Democrats "rammed" measures through, bypassing the legislative process by not holding hearings or allowing amendments.
Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., chairman of the House Republican Conference, called the agenda a "watered-down slate of so-called reforms that will never become law in their current form."
But Democrats noted that an average of 62 Republicans sided with them on the measures. They also dismissed criticism that Democrats only considered less controversial issues in their 100-hour timetable.
Some critics will say "we picked the easy stuff, the low hanging fruit, but I say if it were so easy, why haven't we raised the minimum wage in 10 years," said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the majority whip.
Here are the bills passed under the 100-hour agenda and the votes:
9/11 Commission recommendations
The House approved legislation 299-128 that would require increased screening of airline and port cargo and change how federal security grants are distributed. Senate Democrats are expected to propose a measure, but Republicans have raised concerns about costs. Bush opposes many of the House provisions.
Minimum wage
The House approved legislation 315-116 that would increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. The Senate is expected to consider a minimum wage increase as soon as next week, but is likely to include tax breaks for small businesses. Bush has said he supports tax breaks for small businesses.
Stem cell
The House approved a measure 253-174 that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The Senate passed a similar bill last year, but Bush vetoed it then and says he will do it again.
Medicare
The House passed a bill 255-170 that would require the Department of Health and Human Services secretary to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug costs under Medicare. Some key Senate Democrats have expressed reservations. Bush and federal health officials strongly oppose the measure.
Education
The House approved legislation 356-71 to cut interest rates from 6.8% to 3.4% for subsidized student loans over five years. Senate Democrats are expected to propose a more comprehensive package. Bush opposes the measure.
Energy
The House passed a measure 264-163 Thursday that would repeal some tax breaks to the oil and gas companies. It would shift $14 billion in revenues to research renewable energy sources. Some Senate Republicans take issue with what they call a tax increase. Bush said he opposes raising corporate taxes.
Democratic leaders promise more ahead, including lobbying changes, immigration overhauls and more energy proposals.
"Yes, we're far away from getting done, but you can't get started until you do what we've just done," said Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Posted 1/19/2007 8:51 AM ET
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-01-19-first-hours_x.htm?csp=34
posted by presgore19 at 3:27 PM
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