The House and Senate return for votes this week. The Senate will resume consideration of judicial appointments and the House has nearly 30 bills on the suspension calendar, which requires 2/3 vote to pass.
House Returns to Uncertain Future
This week the House returns to work in D.C. while votes are still being tabulated from last Tuesday’s election. The slow election returns and weaker than expected performance by Republicans have some seeking to delay leadership elections expected to take place this week. Republicans, and many pundits, including myself, expected a decisive Republican win last week that never materialized. Despite strong performances in Florida and New York of all places, Republican candidates underperformed in an election year that seemed to be trending in their direction. This is delaying certainty over who will control the chamber, though unofficial returns seem to point to a slight Republican majority of somewhere between 222 and 225 seats.
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced last week that he is running for Speaker of the House, which was not in any way a surprise, but the slim victory certainly was a surprise. Reminiscent of his previous attempt at the speakership, McCarthy faces skepticism from the more conservative factions of the Republican Conference. While no other candidate has announced against McCarthy, conservatives are looking to extract promises from him and from a rules package that could make his potential hold on the gavel tenuous at best.
Other leadership posts within the Republican Conference seem to be shaping up without much rancor, though there is a contest for Majority Whip that has already gotten a bit tense. National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) Chair Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is the current favorite for the No. 3 leadership slot, but he faces a challenge from former Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chair, Jim Banks (R-Ind.). Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) is currently unopposed for Majority Leader, the No. 2 leadership post.
Senate Remains in Dem Hands
Democrats will hold their Senate majority and have the opportunity to increase it by one seat—if incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) can prevail in the December 6 runoff election against challenger Herschel Walker. Democrats flipped Pennsylvania with a win by Lt. Governor John Fetterman and held some of their vulnerable seats such as Nevada and Arizona. Democrats in the Senate plan to hold their leadership elections the week of December 5, presumably after the runoff in Georgia has been decided. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are expected to be re-elected.
Independent Contractor Rule Comments
NCA is gathering feedback from members on the potential impact of the proposed independent contractor rule and I encourage you to share your thoughts if your club currently uses independent contractors regularly. NCA is working with CMAA and NGCOA in drafting comments that will present a unified voice from the club and golf community on the role independent contractors play in the industry. You can review the proposed rule here. Comments are due by the end of the day on December 13, 2022.
Turkey Time Tourney for Toys for Tots
Each year I have the pleasure of hosting a golf tournament benefitting Toys for Tots around Thanksgiving Time. Today is our 19th annual tournament, featuring a biapartisan group of co-hosts and a field primarily made up of Hill staffers and former staffers like me. Over the years we’ve raised thousands for Toys for Tots and helped give away countless toys.
With me is one of the tournament cofounders, Behrends Foster.