Washington State Democrats Call on GOP to Embrace Democrats' 100 Hours Agenda

SEATTLE - With new polls showing widespread support among the American people for the legislative agenda Democrats will advance in the first 100 hours of the new Congress, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz today called on Washington State's Republicans in Congress to put partisanship aside and join Democrats in addressing the priorities of the American people.

During last year's elections, Democrats pledged to put the priorities of the American people first. Democrats are committed to keeping that promise in the first days of 2007 by passing their "100 Hours Agenda":

• Real ethics reform
• Making America more secure by implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations
• Increasing the federal minimum wage
• Making college more affordable by cutting interest rates on student loans
• Allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices
• Starting America on the path to energy independence
• Expanding stem cell research

"By pushing an ambitious reform agenda in the first 100 hours of the new Congress, Democrats are getting right to the business of the American people," said Pelz. "I urge Washington State's Republicans in Congress to join Democrats to advance the people's agenda."

According to a new AP/AOL/Ipsos poll, the vast majority of Americans support key elements of the Democratic 100 Hours agenda. Roughly 80 percent support raising the minimum wage, 56 percent support Democratic plans to expand federal support for stem cell research, and 69 percent support the Democratic plan to allow negotiations for lower prescription drug prices.

"These priorities were overwhelmingly supported by the American people at the polls in November," said Chairman Pelz. "Republicans Cathy McMorris, Dave Reichert, and Doc Hastings need to stand up for Washington's working families and vote 'Yes' on the 100 Hours Agenda."

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