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With a new Democratic majority now in control, the House of Representatives began the 110th Congress by passing all of the agenda items which had been planned for the first 100 hours, including an overwhelming vote to lower interest rates on student loans.

An increase in the minimum wage over the next two years, the expansion of stem cell research, and implementation of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission also passed in the first 100 hours of Congress, which began Jan. 9 and ended Thursday. These issues had been important platforms for many Democrats during the mid-term elections.

“We’ve had bipartisan support because these are popular issues that were raised during the campaigns by the American people,” said Drew Hammel, a spokesman for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco. “So we felt confident going into the 100 hours that we would have support (from both Republicans and Democrats).”

On Wednesday, the House passed a bill 356-71 to cut student loan interest rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. About 5.5 million students receive federal loans each year.

The interest rates would decrease gradually over a period of five years and would cumulatively cost taxpayers $6 billion.

“This is something that is going to make college more affordable,” said Gabe Rose, president of the Bruin Democrats. “Cutting student loans is also a great way to combat the rising costs of college.”

Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Lakewood, said she was able to relate to the situation as a daughter of immigrants who is still working to pay off her loans.

“Many young people find themselves where I was ... at age 18, wondering what they will do with their lives,” Sanchez said. “To those students, especially those whose parents didn’t go to college, the prospect of student loan debt is frightening.”

Democrats are also working to lower the interest rates for parents who are taking out loans for their children’s college education and to increase the maximum Pell Grant award from $4,050 to $5,100. The grant is given to the most financially needy students and does not have to be repaid.

The bill still faces the Senate, which has advocated a more comprehensive resolution to interest rates, and the Bush administration, which has openly opposed the bill.

To start off the year, the new House first passed a resolution that would change the rules of interaction between lawmakers and lobbyists, and ban gift-giving and prepaid travel for legislators. Leaders hoped this would help foster more honesty in the government.

Republican leaders complained that they were refused amendments on the legislation, which passed by a slim margin.

“We are short-circuiting democracy here, and I think my colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand it,” said House Republican leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

The House also passed legislation to enact 9/11 Commission recommendations, which would improve aviation, border and infrastructure security, and provide equipment for first responders.

Addressing another key Democratic agenda item, the House next voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the course of the next two years.

On Jan. 11, legislation to expand stem cell research allowed for an increase in the number of stem cell lines which are eligible for federally funded research.

But while these bills were passed by the House, Hammel said some could still be vetoed by Bush.

“We are looking at issues like stem cell research and minimum wage which might be vetoed, but we look forward to the Senate passing (the bills),” Hammel said. “And we plan on working with the public to create public discourse and make it so it will be very difficult for the president to veto these bills.”

Last September, President Bush used his veto power for the first time in a bill which would have loosened limitations on federal funding for stem cell research.

“If Bush is going to stay consistent with his stand, then I expect he will veto the (stem cell research) bill,” said political science Professor Scott Curtis James.

The House also passed a bill which would require Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and passed a bill which would invest federal money in renewable energy and repeal subsidies for big oil companies.

Rose said he was glad the Democrats had completed their election agenda items.

“The bills that were passed in the first 100 hours were long overdue,” Rose said. “They were something the American people asked for in the last election and the Democrats delivered on their promise efficiently.”

With reports from Bruin wire services.