An Email from John Conyers....1st 100 hours

[babsbunny]

First 100 Hours Agenda Accomplished,
More Progress on the Horizon

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After 12 years of nearly unbroken Republican control, we have now begun a new year, with a new Democratic majority. I want to take this opportunity to share with you some thoughts about what we’ve achieved so far and about my plans for the new Congress. During the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, we enacted new homeland security measures, increased the minimum wage, provided for federally funded stem cell research, changed the law to require the federal government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries, cut student loan interest rates and rolled back tax breaks for oil companies to fund alternative energy research.

If we continue to stay true to our principles while being willing to work with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we will have the opportunity in the 110th Congress to make progress on many of the nation’s most pressing priorities, including changing course in Iraq and addressing urgent needs here at home.

As the new chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I will continue to work to strengthen and improve the administration of justice in Federal courts, administrative bodies, and law enforcement agencies.

Among our priorities for the new Congress has to be support for a phased withdrawal of American troops from Iraq to conclude within four to six months. We must change our focus from combat to diplomacy to help Iraq and its neighbors work to find the political solutions necessary to end the bloodshed. This is the only way we can achieve any sort of victory in Iraq.

There is a serious health care crisis in America that must be addressed now by the Congress and the President. We need universal health care. I will reintroduce H.R. 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act, to ensure that every American, regardless of income, employment status, or race, has access to quality, affordable health care services.

Underlying the debate on how America should fund health care for its citizens are two other important issues left unaddressed in the last session of Congress: the enormous federal debt and the need for serious ethics reform. The federal debt has reached an astounding $8.6 trillion – or more than $28,000 per person – and is getting worse fast. During the first 100 hours, we restored the “pay-as-you-go” rules that require new spending increases and tax cuts be offset elsewhere in the budget. In addition, our passage of real ethics reform during the first 100 hours has shown the American people that the 110th Congress is off to a fresh start.

So far our accomplishments include passage of the following legislation:

H.R. 1, which implemented many of the remaining reforms suggested by the Sept. 9-11 commission, including calls for more thorough cargo screening, better emergency communications and more money for cities at the highest risk of terrorist attack.

H.R. 2 , which increased the minimum wage while recognizing health benefits and child care as important forms of compensation and giving businesses credit for providing health insurance. Small business is the engine of economic growth and the biggest challenge small businesses face is paying for health care for employees. This bill will help them do so.

H.R. 3, which authorized government support of research involving embryonic stem cells that meet certain criteria, and creates an ethical framework for this research. This bill prohibits funding for research unless the cell lines were derived from excess embryos that were created for reproductive purposes and would otherwise be discarded. It also requires voluntary informed consent from the couples donating the excess embryos and prohibits any financial inducements for embryo donation.

H.R. 4, which cuts the cost of health care, and improves access to medicines by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. The current Medicare Rx Drug law prohibits HHS from conducting such cost-reducing negotiations.

H.R. 5, which will cut federal student loan interest rates in half over the next five years. This legislation will help the typical borrower, with $13,800 in subsidized federal student loan debt, to save approximately $4,400 over the life of his or her loan. The bill is fully paid for, meeting all pay-as-you-go requirements.

H.R. 6, which reclaims $14 billion in tax breaks and giveaways that the Republican Congress extended to big oil in 2004 and 2005 and ensures that oil companies pay their fair share to drill on public land. The reclaimed revenue will be used to create a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources and alternative fuels, promote new energy technologies, develop greater efficiency and improve energy conservation.

The American people made clear last November that they are tired of partisan bickering and want a Congress that will address the nation’s problems. If both Democrats and Republicans are willing to heed that message, the next two years can usher in a new era of congressional accomplishments. I look forward to working with you during the 110th Congress as we continue on the path to building a better America.

Sincerely,


John Conyers
U.S. Congressman

[oasis]

1. Thanx for posting. k&r