House Succeeds in 'First 100 Hours' Blitz

With its 264-163 passage yesterday of a bill ending billions of dollars in tax incentives to oil companies, the House of Representatives completed its Democratic leadership's blitz of debating and voting on six major bills in the "first 100 hours" of legislative business.

In just six days of business, beginning on January 9, the House has passed legislation that would:

• implement recommendations of the 9/11 Commission;

• increase the Federal Minimum Wage;

• promote embryonic-stem cell research;

• reauire the government to negotiate for lower Medicare prescription drug costs

• reduce interest rates on student loans; and

• end subsidies to oil companies.

The future of all these bills still depends on the Senate and President Bush's veto pen. Of all the bills passed, only the bill lowering interest rates on student loans garnered enough votes to override a presidential veto.

Also See:
Bush May Veto More Bills from New Congress
Why Bush Needs Congress on New Iraq War Strategy