Jan. 20, 2007
 
RAHALL REPORT: First 100 Hours a Significant First Step
 
From the desk of U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) Representing West Virginia's 3rd District
 
Washington, DC (HNN) -- When the new Democratic majority took the reins on January 4, 2007, we did so with an agenda for America during the first 100 legislative hours-an agenda that contained a number of bills I supported to improve the everyday lives of all Americans, of all West Virginians. It gives me great pride to report to you, as the first 100 hours agenda comes to a close, that all of the bills I supported have been passed, beginning the process of moving our State and our Nation in a new direction.
 
We began, fittingly, by passing legislation that will better protect all that we hold dear. By implementing the security recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, we will make our country safer through enhancing homeland security, strengthening efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and promoting strategies to bridge understanding.
 
The legislation includes a number of provisions to substantially improve security here at home, including the creation of a stand-alone grant program to provide first responders with the type of equipment that allows them to communicate with one another during times of emergency.
 
As I have said before, homeland security begins with hometown security and programs such as this, coupled with other technology initiatives like the GPS deployment program I recently established at the Rahall Transportation Institute, will arm our brave first-responders with the equipment and training they need to keep our families safe.
 
Following the passage of the homeland security legislation, I cast my vote for a bill that will increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over the next two years, helping to make ends meet a little easier for West Virginia families. It is my hope the House will also consider proposals to help our small businesses with deductions and/or credits. It is fitting that this monumental minimum wage legislation passed the House just days before we commemorated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an outspoken advocate of fair wages who once said, "Equality means dignity. And dignity demands a job and a paycheck that lasts through the week."
 
I think were Dr. King still with us today, he would agree that dignity also demands a healthcare system we can all afford. Continuing my efforts to improve healthcare for West Virginians, I supported legislation that will improve access to cheaper medicines by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. To borrow a line from President Kennedy, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." The people's government should not be timid in using its strong voice for our seniors.
 
This healthcare legislation will lower prescription drug prices for West Virginians, just as the VA has been doing for our veterans for years, and will help put an end to the drug corporations emptying the pockets of West Virginia's seniors.
 
Just as prescriptions should be affordable for our seniors, so should college be affordable for the younger generation. I applaud the passage of legislation passed by the House of Representatives that will take the first step in making college more affordable and accessible by lowering the interest rates on student loans.
 
In West Virginia there are more than 34,000 four-year college students with student loans -- who all would benefit from this bill. Once fully phased in, the bill would save the average four-year college student in West Virginia starting school in 2011 with student loans $4,020 over the life of their loans.
 
This bill will be paid for by making the program more efficient and effective for students and the government - at no new cost to taxpayers.
 
And finally, as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, I introduced and managed the last bill of the first 100 hours agenda -- a bill that will repeal $14 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for Big Oil companies and invest this money in clean renewable and alternative fuel initiatives like coal liquefaction. As we work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, West Virginia will be at the forefront, with plans for coal conversion plants already underway in Mingo and Raleigh counties. These projects and others will benefit greatly from the reinvestment of Big Oil funds into the development of cutting-edge alternative energy technology.
 
The first 100 hours have been a success, but our work is far from finished. West Virginians can be assured that the new Congressional Leadership is united in our desire for a new direction for America that puts the American people first- a direction that will bring our brave men and women home safely from Iraq, protect Social Security, produce real drug savings costs for our seniors, and keep our promise to our veterans.
 
We will continue to push a comprehensive agenda that will improve the lives of all Americans.