It’s been another busy week in Washington as we work our way to the Memorial Day weekend. Here’s our weekly update on infrastructure, budget and appropriations, other activity as we close out the work period.
Read MoreThe past two weeks may have been the first break that felt like a recess since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some staffers took advantage of the opportunity to unplug, we know others were processing Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) appropriations and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requests, combing through the American Jobs Plan, and reviewing the “skinny” budget ahead of what is anticipated to be a busy work period. Once both the House and Senate return this week, Congress plans to be in session through the Memorial Day recess. Here are the “top ten” things we will be watching over the next several weeks.
Read MoreThe administration and Congressional Democrats have begun turning towards infrastructure and climate legislation, though there is still not consensus about what form a package will take. As momentum builds for a climate-oriented infrastructure bill, we have begun to compile a list of some energy-related tax items that could be included.
Read MoreExperts agree a sweeping revamp of our nation’s infrastructure is long overdue, with the American Society of Civil Engineers reporting that 43 percent of roadways are now in poor or mediocre condition. There appears to be a bipartisan appetite for this kind of legislation, at least in principle, but its scope and how it will come together are still far from certain.
Read MoreAs we enter the final 24 hours of the Trump presidency, there are a number of dynamics that may shape the policy environment, as well as the legislative and regulatory agendas. It may be wishful thinking, but our instincts lead us to believe the far left and far right extremes in both caucuses could open up opportunities for policy to emerge in the middle, similar to what we saw with the COVID package enacted at the end of last year. In particular, COVID 5.0 and infrastructure are two possibilities for big legislative packages.
Read MoreAlthough control of the Senate has yet to be determined and it could take days for the results of tomorrow’s runoff elections in Georgia to be finalized, most political operatives continue to tell us to prepare for a GOP-controlled Senate. While conventional wisdom is that divided government can lead to gridlock, we are optimistic this year will be full of legislative and regulatory action. Given how much was accomplished in the final days of the 116th Congress, thanks in part to bipartisanship and in part to strategic political calculations ahead of the 2022 and 2024 campaign cycles, we are preparing for a busy 2021.
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