Lame duck session begins today — time for Democrats to squeeze through as much of their remaining agenda items as they can while they still enjoy large majorities, right?
Maybe eventually. The lame duck session could last until Christmas. But for now, Congress will only be in session for a few days before adjourning for a brief Thanksgiving recess. In that time the Senate plans to address — or attempt to address — three issues, leaving most of the big ticket items to be dealt with in December.
On Wednesday, the Senate will attempt to end filibusters on three pieces of legislation: one to promote natural gas and electric vehicles; one to close the pay gap between men and women; and food safety legislation third to enhance federal inspection and recall authority.
Senior congressional aides in both parties both say that of the three only one — food safety — is likely to clear the 60 threshold required to bring debate to a close.
That leaves several major items on the docket to be addressed (or not addressed) after the holiday.
House and Senate leaders will still have to figure out what, if anything, they plan to do about the expiring Bush tax cuts, expiring unemployment benefits, appropriations legislation needed to keep government agencies up and running, and a defense authorization bill, that Republicans have threatened to filibuster for including provisions that could end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In other words, the real fireworks probably won’t really start until next month.
That’s good new for Republicans for a few reasons. In part, that’s because Democrats will have precious little time to negotiate before the 111th Congress comes to an end. Additionally, by month’s end, the Senate will become slightly more Republican, as Sen.-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) gets sworn in to replace Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL), making it just that much harder for the Democrats to end a number of expected filibusters. (Democrats Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Chris Coons (D-DE) will be sworn in today.)
It’s not all good news for Republicans: Tomorrow, all members of the GOP caucus will cast a tough, behind-closed-doors vote on a resolution, authored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) to ban earmarks. The proposal has riven senior Republicans from younger, more conservative members, and has split the leadership itself.
It’s also a sign that the incoming class of Republicans in both chambers is more conservative than its been for a very long time, and that portends additional gridlock when Congress returns for the 112th.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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