The November elections are approaching rapidly, capping off the most tumultuous and unpredictable campaign cycles in memory. Predictions of who will win and who will be sent home are rampant, but the fact is, no one really knows for sure what the political landscape will look like after the dust clears in November. While most of the attention is focused on the election and what comes next, there is also significant interest in what, if anything, Washington will be able to accomplish in the few legislative days left on the calendar after voting has concluded.
The top priority for legislators in the days they will spend in D.C. will be moving the appropriations bills that fund government operations. If they don’t get finalized before they expire in October, Congress will have to pass Continuing Resolutions (CRs) to keep government operations viable. Bills of this nature start in the House and move to the Senate for consideration before going on for presidential signature. It seems likely that the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, will be acted on before the end of the year. Less likely, but still possible, is the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which already has been extended for one year past its deadline.
While a bipartisan House bill moved forward during the summer, the Senate still was working to come up with final language as they departed for the annual August recess, although both Senate Democrats and Republicans released their own frameworks and some initial language in July. It’s likely that both sides will wait for election results to see if waiting until the new Congress will help their chances of including partisan priorities in the final document.
Moving a tax bill reinstating many of the provisions of the Trump era Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while boosting child tax credits seems unlikely in 2024, but key players including Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) continue to push forward. For those keeping a close eye on presidential campaign rhetoric, this is an important issue to track. What the candidates say about TCJA and business taxes in general could be a good indication of which policies they would pursue from the White House.
For those operating outside the beltway, it is unfathomable why these issues cannot be resolved in a timely and orderly manner. If a business permit or license expires, you renew it. If there are bills to be paid, you cut the check. Unfortunately, while Congress is good at imposing rules for others to follow, they are very good at delaying action that is by most standards, essential. Why?
First, it is important to remember that our system of government was not created to be quick. The three branches of government were created to slow things down, allow for dissenting opinion, and force policy debate. It works. The ever-growing tensions between the two main political parties act as a further drag on agreement and action.
Most, if not all, of the action on the bills noted above will be delayed until the “lame duck” session; that period of time between the election and the swearing in of the new Congress and president. At that point, the table will be set for the next Congressional session, and current leaders will understand exactly what leverage they have at the end of 2024 as compared to early 2025. Both parties will strategize how they can best maximize their priorities…whether that means acting before Christmas or throwing up delays so that legislation can be dealt with in the new year.
Have a Unified Voice
The bottom line for the Hardwood Federation team is that we have to keep working both sides of the aisle to ensure that everyone understands OUR priorities. The Hardwood Federation has a recognized presence in D.C., and making sure Congress is hearing the same message from all of our association members and their company members under the Hardwood Federation banner makes our case for action stronger and louder.
The bottom line for the Hardwood Federation team is that we have to keep working both sides of the aisle to ensure that everyone understands OUR priorities…and try to get the best result from whatever the eventual election outcome may be. The only certainty of this, or any, election is that some faces will stay the same, but many will change, including those of the leadership. This is what makes the Hardwood Federation and our unified voice so important…having a recognized presence in D.C., and making sure Congress is hearing the same message from all of our association members and their company members under the Hardwood Federation banner makes our case for action stronger and louder.
All elections are important, and the rise of social media has brought them into our lives to a degree never imagined. Candidates will be out in force this fall, on our screens, and in our communities. Look for talking points and helpful hints about how you can help spread the Hardwood Federation message for federal action that helps support our amazing industry.
Dana Lee Cole is the executive director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based hardwood industry trade association that represents thousands of hardwood businesses in every state in the United States and acts as the industry advocacy voice on Capitol Hill. She can be reached at dana.cole@hardwoodfederation.com.
