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home > legislative update > election 2006
MAJOR SHIFTS IN CONGRESS, BUT MORE OF THE SAME FOR THE CHARITABLE COMMUNITY
November 13, 2006
It is clear that last week’s elections will usher in a Democrat majority in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, as Democrats picked up more seats than they needed to take control in both bodies of Congress.
With so much in flux and so much potential for change, what is clear is the need for ACR to continue to be active and engaged next year to protect and promote our members interests. With much of the midterm election fallout confirmed, the following are some initial thoughts on the upcoming lame duck and the next Congress:
- Scope of the Lame Duck session is likely to be narrow. We expect the scope of the lame duck, which begins on the 14th of November, to be very narrow and may be confined to passing a resolution to continue funding the government into the next Congress.
- The Ways and Means Committee Agenda in the House for 2007 is likely to shift, with an eye toward raising new revenues to pay for tax improvements for the middle class. When Republicans cede control of the Ways & Means Committee, that powerful group is expected to be chaired by Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Though chairmanships have not yet been assigned, Rangel has been waiting for his turn at the gavel for decades, and has said in recent weeks that, where special tax breaks are concerned "everything is on the table." That said, we are confident that all Members, both Democrats and Republicans, that represent urban and rural areas will be open to our message because they understand that many of their constituents depend heavily on the charitable community.
- Uncertainty prevails in the Senate, where the Democrats have taken control by a one-seat margin. White House engagement will be important. We expect Senator Baucus, the next Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee will give wide latitude to Senator Grassley to continue his identifying legislative proposals to reform the charitable community. We also expect
the White House will be forced to engage in more direct combat. The threat of a Presidential veto is its best weapon (as neither the House nor Senate would have a two-thirds majority) against what the President views as offensive legislative proposals.
- Regardless of what happens in the next weeks, ACR has a very substantial task ahead. That said, stay tuned for more news as additional developments emerge. We'll keep you well advised of what you need to know.
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