Congressman John Yarmuth of Louisville is spearheading a 100-day action plan that Democrats hope will provide a push to regain the House this fall.The legislative package unveiled by House Democratic leaders Wednesday emphasizes the middle-class and calls out the Republicans' record of accomplishment.Among the ideas being pushed are raising the minimum wage, increased infrastructure spending, and creating tax incentives for U.S. companies operating in the country.The plan also includes the so-called CEO/Employee Pay Fairness Act, which seeks to deny companies the ability to claim tax deductions for executive salaries exceeding $1 million until it provides workers a raise.Yarmuth told WFPL this is meant to show Americans what they can expect if voters return Democrats to power this year."This Congress has the reputation justifiably as being a ‘do-nothing’ Congress. We’ve accomplished very little," he said. "We know the American people want action, and this is our action plan to help boost the middle-class and restore economic growth for the majority of Americans."The Federal Register shows little action by the 113th Congress—in fact, it is on pace for a historic low. Just about two dozen public laws have been passed, and the number of bills that have gone through are at a 20-year low.A Yarmuth spokesman said the congressman approached House Democratic leaders in early April urging them to clearly outline their agenda ahead of the fall elections. Yarmuth was heavily involved in selecting some of the priorities in the Democratic plan.Political forecasts have given Democrats little chance of winning back the House this fall.The Washington Post’s election lab, for instance, gives Democrats less than a 1-percent chance of seizing the majority. In fact, their analysis predicts Democrats could lose six more seats this year.It is estimated few—if any—Democratic proposals in their 100-day action plan have a chance of moving forward in the Republican-controlled House.Yarmuth said the plan should provide a contrast given one of the major votes scheduled led by Speaker John Boehner and House GOP members is a resolution authorizing a lawsuit against President Obama’s use of executive authority.The congressman called the suit a "tantrum" earlier this week."It is important that the American people know what our plans are if we’re asking them to give us the majority," said Yarmuth."I think a number of elements in our action plan are doable if the House has a Democratic majority."
