State of the Union Address Lays Out Major Issues for Congress
The 2006 midterm election will frame action on the Hill and compress the congressional schedule.

Last week, President Bush gave his State of the Union Address and the second session of the 109 Congress began. Although the congressional agenda for the months ahead is a somewhat of a moving target, Government Affairs staff appreciates the opportunity to highlight several major issues certain to receive attention.

It is important to note that much of the legislative activity we will see in this congressional session will take place in the context of an election year. On November 7, voters will choose all 435 U.S. Representatives and approximately one-third of U.S. Senators. The election has the effect of compressing the congressional schedule – the House and Senate may be in session only 60 to 70 days between now and early October. In addition, partisan tensions, which are already running high, are unlikely to subside as the parties shift into election mode.

On November 7, voters will choose all 435 U.S. Representatives and approximately one-third of U.S. Senators.

Major issues:

Lobbying reform – This will be issue number one for Congress over the next few months. Many of the reforms will consist of changing internal House and Senate rules with respect to travel, gifts, access to the House and Senate chambers for former legislators turned lobbyists, and greater disclosure and transparency. Campaign finance may or may not be a part of the equation.

Budget and Appropriations -- Congress will have to tackle the annual appropriations process. This will begin in earnest following release of the president’s budget request on February 6. With the budget deficit in excess of $300 billion and renewed calls for fiscal restraint by conservatives and by the president in his State of the Union speech, it is likely to be a tough year with regards to securing funds for established programs, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which have proved more controversial of late. It will also prove increasingly difficult to direct money to new initiatives, such as the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS). However, ASLA staff remains optimistic that the demonstrable value of the program coupled with broad-based advocacy by ASLA members nationwide make securing funding an achievable goal.

Gulf Coast Recovery -- Additional congressional action is also likely to continue to address the monumental challenges associated with Gulf Coast recovery and longer term hazard mitigation. However, it remains unclear when legislative action may be taken or in what form. Several committees in Congress are still investigating a longer term response.

Government Affairs staff will continue to provide updates about these and other subjects in the weeks and months ahead.

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