Washington Update - 11/20/2006 (Plain Text Version)
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E-mail Our Editor Little Progress on Unfinished Spending BillsLawmakers in the Senate struggled last week to make progress on the remaining fiscal 2007 appropriations bills, clearing the Military Construction Appropriations bill, and beginning consideration of the Agriculture Appropriations bill, but failing to move any others prior to their Thanksgiving hiatus. Both bills will need to be conferenced with the House-passed versions before being sent to the president for signature. Meanwhile, the House and Senate have passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the government funded through Dec. 8. The CR applies to federal departments and agencies whose fiscal 2007 appropriations bills remain outstanding. Funding for these agencies will remain at fiscal 2006 levels. Lawmakers remain hopeful that they will be able to wrap up the remaining appropriations bills into an omnibus measure—or a series of two or three 'minibus' measures, which would be clusters of two to three appropriations bills each—when they return in December. It is likely at this point that they will have to extend the lame duck session beyond Dec. 8, and several lawmakers have indicated that they want to complete the bills prior to Christmas. Incoming Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate have stated that they would like to see the bills completed prior to the commencement of the 110th Congress in January, so that Democrats can focus on studying the fiscal 2008 budget, which the Administration will submit to Congress on the first Monday in February. For more information, e-mail Jenna Morgan Hamilton, or call her at 800-368-5242, x8407. Builders Oppose Land-Use Provision in Conservation BillOn Aug. 1, Senators Harry Reid (D-NV) and John Ensign (R-NV) introduced S. 3772, the “White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act.” The bill would amend current federal law regarding the sale of additional federal land around Las Vegas. S. 3772 contains a new affordable housing section that would mandate when 200 or more acres of federal land is sold, five percent of any housing developed on that land must be set aside as affordable (applies only to the Las Vegas area). The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests held a hearing on the bill last week. NAHB is strongly opposed to any federal intrusion into local land use decisions and has raised strong objections to the inclusionary zoning requirement. During the hearing, the witness representing the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also expressed opposition to the affordable housing section. NAHB is working closely with the Southern Nevada HBA to attempt to strike the set-aside requirement from the bill. NAHB met this week with staff from Senator Reid's office and Senator Ensign's office. Senator's Reid's staff intends to try to include S. 3772 in the anticipated omnibus appropriations bill. To view the legislation, click here and type bill number S. 3772 in the box in the center screen. For more information, e-mail J.P. Delmore or call him at 800-368-5242, x8412. [return to top] Lawmakers Elect Their Leaders for 110th CongressHouse and Senate Democrats and Republicans met last week in their respective caucuses to elect their leadership for the 110th Congress, which begins in January. Below is a full list of the incoming party leadership for the 110th Congress. House Leadership – Democratic majority (232 seats*)
House Leadership – Republican minority (198 seats*)
Senate Leadership – Democratic majority (51 seats)
Senate Leadership – Republican minority (49 seats)
* Five House races are still too close to call. [return to top] For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2006, National Association of Home Builders |