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Democrats' First 100 Hours Agenda Passes

As soon as the 110th Congress was sworn-in on January 4th, Rep. Rothman and his Democratic colleagues immediately moved forward with their First 100 Hours agenda. All of the bills passed the House with broad bipartisan support.

More information about the bills and how they will help New Jerseyans is below.

The CLEAN Energy Act of 2007
On Thursday, January 18th, Congressman Rothman voted for the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, which repeals $14 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies. The bill also invests that money in a Strategic Renewal Energy Reserve, which will be used to research and develop fuel alternatives and improve energy efficiency nationwide.

"The CLEAN Energy Act kick-starts Democrats' long-term plan to reduce our national dependence on foreign oil. By developing clean, renewable fuel alternatives, the U.S. can improve air quality, create jobs, and corner a new business market," said Rothman. Read more.

Cutting Interest Rates on Student Loans
On Wednesday, January 17th, Congressman Rothman voted to cut interest rates in half on subsidized student loans for undergraduates over the next five years. The College Student Relief Act is expected to cut the cost of college for approximately 5.5 million undergraduate students and their families. New Jersey is expected to be one of ten states with the highest average student savings in the nation, according to an analysis of the bill by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

“In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, students need a college education to compete. However, as the cost of tuition skyrockets, more and more students are forced to accept crushing levels of debt in order to graduate. This situation must change. The College Student Relief Act is a positive first step toward making college more affordable and I am proud that my colleagues and I passed it during the first 100 legislative hours of the 110th Congress,” said Rothman. Read more.

Promoting Stem Cell Research
On Thursday, January 11th, Congressman Rothman voted to expand the federal funding of ethical stem cell research. The bill, the DeGette-Castle Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, would lift restrictions on embryonic stem cell lines that can be used for federally-funded research – restrictions that were imposed by President Bush in 2001.

“Without federal funds, promising stem cell research will be left entirely to the private sector and states to support. This approach means that fewer scientists and fewer labs will have the funding necessary to seek potentially life-saving cures for a whole range of deadly and debilitating diseases. I strongly believe that President Bush was wrong to veto this bill last year. Now, Congress and the American people will give the President another chance to sign ethical stem cell research into law,” said Rothman. Read more.

Raising the Minimum Wage
On Wednesday, January 10th, Congressman Rothman voted to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 cents an hour over two years. "I promised my constituents that a new Democratic Majority would change our national policies for the better. Ensuring that working Americans received a higher wage was the right way to start. I am so pleased that the new Democratic Leadership in Congress was able to bring both parties together so that we could swiftly and successfully give our working families a long-overdue raise," said Rothman. Read more.

Implementing the 9/11 Commission's Recommendations
On Tuesday, January 9th, Congressman Rothman voted to implement the reforms recommended by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, including improving homeland security, preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, and developing strategies for preventing the spread of Islamic terrorism. Notably, the legislation also goes beyond the 9/11 Commission's recommendations by requiring 100% scanning of U.S.-bound shipping containers over the next 5 years and mandates that the vast majority of state homeland security grants be provided on the basis of risk.

"The security of the American people demands that we screen all foreign cargo for bombs, and chemical, biological, and nuclear material. Port Newark/Elizabeth in Northern New Jersey is one of the many seaports in our country that will benefit from the security improvements in today's bill. I look forward to the Senate's consideration and passage of this important legislation," said Rothman. Read more.

First 100 Hours Agenda Begins with Ethics Reform
"This Thursday [January 4th], I will be sworn-in as a member of the new Democratic Majority. I am proud to say that as soon as I take office, I will have an opportunity to vote for strong ethics reform that will ban gifts and travel from lobbyists and make earmarks more transparent. I will also support new rules to improve the way Congress operates by guaranteeing all Members have time to read legislation and ending 2-day work weeks. I am pleased to co-sponsor these and so many other commonsense measures that are part of the First 100 Hours agenda," said Rothman. Read more.

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