The new House leadership promised during the election to begin the 110^th Congress by leading us in a new direction, beginning with the consideration of six legislative priorities during its first 100 hours in session. House leadership intends to pass legislation in each of these areas before President Bush gives his State of the Union speech in late January. Three of the six legislative areas reflect AFT priorities: raising the minimum wage, lowering Medicare prescription drug costs, and helping students with their college loans.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The 110th Congress must chart a new course for America that recognizes the challenges facing working families across the nation. An important first step in this direction would be consideration and passage of legislation on the following three issues during the first 100 hours of the new Congress.

Increasing the minimum wage The national minimum wage has remained at $5.15 since 1997, leaving its real value at the lowest point in 50 years. Within the first 100 hours of the new Congress, there will be a vote to raise the minimum wage to $7.25. This increase would lift millions out of poverty. It would allow an estimated 7.3 million workers to receive an immediate pay increase, and an additional 8.2 million low-wage earners would benefit because employers, in order to maintain relative pay equity, would to raise their wages as well.

Making healthcare more affordable When Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Law (Medicare Part D), a major flaw was the provision that prohibited Medicare from negotiating lower prescription drug prices. I strongly support the legislation to repeal this prohibition and allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower prescription drug prices. The U.S. Veterans Administration negotiates drug prices and achieves a 40 percent reduction in prescription drug costs. Medicare should be able do the same to lower the cost to Medicare beneficiaries.

Reducing the cost of higher education In 2006, Congress voted to cut funding for student loans by approximately $12 billion. With the rising cost of college and soaring student debt, these damaging cuts only compound the difficulty of making college attainable for all students. I support Congress cutting the student interest rate for subsidized loans, which would help those students most in need. In addition, I also hope the 110th Congress will increase college access by raising and funding the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,100.

I urge you to support these three important issues in the first 100 hours and make investing in our nation's education, labor and health infrastructures a higher priority in this new Congress.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 19, 2006