What to Expect from the Lame Duck Congress?
In the final weeks of 2010, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, the outgoing Congress accomplishes. Supporters on both sides of the aisle tend to forget at this point in the year that the newly-elected officials have yet to take office. It is possible that current officeholders, many with nothing to lose as they leave Washington behind in the wake of a lost midterm election, could attempt to pass extreme measures through both chambers for the president’s signature prior to the transition of power. It seems more likely, however, that the congressmen and senators will resolve one or two main issues and leave the remainder for the 112th Congress to sort out.
Discussion in the next several weeks will probably center around the Bush-era tax cuts, set to sunset at the end of the year. We will probably also be looking at a proposed temporary budget bill to fund the government (the budget year began October 1, for those of you keeping track–apparently some folks were a little too concerned about campaigning and maintaining their own positions to put together or pass bills to fund the government programs they have insisted are necessary). The president has also placed recent emphasis on the START treaty, dealing with the reduction of strategic arms, particularly nuclear weapons, and there is a rumor that an immigration bill may be in the works as well.
Remember that as bills are debated and/or passed, the new guys aren’t in yet. If your issue isn’t being addressed or if you think it’s being addressed the wrong way, don’t give up hope. Thanks to the hard work engaged in by many in 2010, there’s always next year.

