FACTBOX-US House in hand, Democrats to press agenda
08 Nov 2006 21:38:08 GMT
Source: Reuters
Nov 8 (Reuters) - Democrats promise votes on much of their agenda during the first 100 hours after they take control of the U.S. House of Representatives from Republicans in January. Here's a look at some of the measures: * Legislation to clean up how the scandal-rocked House does business, including new rules to ban lawmakers from accepting gifts from lobbyists and requiring greater disclosure by lobbyists. * Raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in nearly a decade, boosting it over two years to $7.25 an hour from current $5.15. * Make a college education more affordable by cutting in half the interest rates on federal student loans. * Roll back federal subsidies to big oil and gas companies. * Enact recommendations of the 9/11 commission to bolster border and port security. * Allow the government to negotiate directly with drug companies to lower prescription drug costs under the Medicare health insurance program for senior citizens and the disabled.
