FACTBOX-US Congress in reach, Democrats to press agenda
09 Nov 2006 21:08:31 GMT Source: Reuters
(Updates after Democrats secured control of Senate) Nov 9 (Reuters) - Democrats who took control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will set aside much of President George W. Bush's conservative agenda when the 110th Congress convenes in January, and push more moderate and liberal proposals they campaigned on this year. Here is a look at some of them: * A Democratic Senate would tell Bush to offer "mainstream" rather than "right-wing" judicial nominees, particularly for the U.S. Supreme Court, if he expects to get them needed Senate confirmation. * Democrats in the House and Senate have promised congressional oversight hearings with subpoena power into the administration, particularly its handling of the Iraq war, homeland security and relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. * 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, and 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.oll 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.
