House Begins the 'First 100 Hours' of New Congress

The ‘First 100 Hours’ of legislation promised by new House Majority Leader Rep Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland, 5th), begins today with consideration by the House of H.R. 1 – a bill implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 terrorist attacks investigation committee.

Last week, Majority Leader Hoyer released the full schedule of legislation to be considered by the House during the first 100 legislative hours of the 110th Congress.

According to Rep. Hoyer's schedule the first 100 hour push starts today and proceed as follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 9 -- A bill implementing recommendations of the 9/11 Commission – H.R. 1 (PASSED: 299-128)

Wednesday, Jan. 10 -- A bill increasing the federal minimum wage – H.R. 2 (PASSED: 315-116)

Thursday, Jan. 11 -- A bill expanding federal funding for embryonic-stem cell research – H.R. 3 (PASSED: 253-174) (passed by the 109th Congress, but vetoed by President Bush)

Friday, Jan. 12 -- A bill allowing negotiation for lower prescription drug costs – H.R. 4 (PASSED: 255-170)

Wednesday, Jan 17 -- A bill reducing interest rates on student loans - H.R. 5 (PASSED: 356-71)

Thursday, Jan. 18 -- A bill ending subsidies to oil companies and investing in renewable energy sources - H.R. 6 (PASSED: 264-163)

Can they really meet that schedule? In the House, where debate on bills is typically limited to one hour, completing this schedule in 100 legislative hours is possible. In the Senate, with unlimited time for debate and filibusters, these bills could easily consume 100 legislative hours -- about two weeks -- each. Hammering out differences between House- and Senate-passed versions of these bills in conference committees will extend the time required even further. Frankly, it would take a magnificent display of cooperation and bipartisanship for Congress to complete this list of major legislation over the course of the entire session.

As House Majority Leader, Rep. Hoyer is in charge of scheduling legislation to be considered by the House and of managing floor debate on that legislation. It will be up to him to make sure the House abides by his first 100 hour schedule.

Possible vetoes: President Bush has indicated he might veto the bills increasing the minimum wage, expanding stem cell research and ending oil subsidies. In both chambers of Congress, Democrats lack the votes necessary to override a presidential veto.

Also See:
Democrats Take Tenuous Control of Senate, Firm Hold on House in 110th Congress (US Liberals)
Bush May Veto more Bills from New Congress