[Page H8677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE A BOLD AGENDA THAT INCLUDES ALL AMERICANS

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, within the first 100 hours of the new 
Democratic Congress, we will accomplish more than the Republican do-
nothing Congress accomplished this entire year. While Republicans 
refuse to break their questionable cosy relationships with lobbyists, 
Democrats will pass an ethics reform bill that will once again make 
this the people's House, not the lobbyists' House. While Republicans 
refuse to expand economic opportunities to millions of Americans, 
Democrats will give minimum-wage workers their first raise in 9 years.
  While Republicans refuse to go after price gouging oil companies, 
Democrats will begin the process of making our Nation energy 
independent by repealing needless tax breaks for Big Oil, and instead 
putting that money towards crucial funding of biofuel research.
  While Republicans refused to help millions of seniors who fell into 
the prescription drug doughnut hole, Democrats will allow the Federal 
Government to negotiate lower drug prices so that the doughnut hole can 
be filled. These are all important initiatives that Democrats will pass 
within the first 100 hours of the next Congress.

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