Congress Returns for Lame Duck, Holds Leadership Elections
Congress returned to Washington this week for the lame duck session that could take them up to Christmas. On Tuesday the Senate held their leadership elections for the upcoming 112th Congress, but because the Democrats held onto the Senate, the leadership will remain the same as in the 111th Congress. Sen. Harry Reid (NV) will remain Majority Leader while Sen. Richard Durbin (IL) will be Majority Whip. Republicans elected Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY) to be Minority Leader and Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ) as Minority Whip.
On Wednesday leadership elections were held in the House, where there will be changes in the now Republican controlled House. Republicans elected Rep. John Boehner (OH) as Speaker of the House, Rep. Eric Cantor (VA) as Majority Leader, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA) as Majority Whip. The Democrats, meanwhile, elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA) as Minority Leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD) as Minority Whip, and Rep. James Clyburn (SC) as Assistant Minority Leader, which is a new position.
Appropriations Action Uncertain
During the lame duck, Congress hopes to resolve differences on the FY11 appropriations bills. There is currently a continuing resolution (CR), set to expire on December 3, which is keeping the government and federal programs running. The hope had been to pass an omnibus appropriations bill before the CR expires, however, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced yesterday that he is opposed to an omnibus bill. This would mean that Congress would have to pass a longer CR and deal with appropriations in the next session.
Tags: appropriations, Congress, funding