Director’s Desk
Kristin Nicholson | December 12, 2024
Dear Friends,
The transition between one Congress and the next is always a fascinating time, full of not only the annual pile-up of must-pass items but also the moves and machinations of new members, new leaders, and sometimes new majorities seeking to make their mark on a new Congress.
Things are playing out fairly predictably in many ways. Despite some last-minute drama, the National Defense Authorization Act seems poised to be enacted for the 64th consecutive year. Another Continuing Resolution, likely to last until sometime in March, will be approved in time to avoid a shutdown. Other priority measures will hitch a ride on the CR, likely including disaster relief funding and a one-year Farm Bill extension.
But there have also been a few surprises during this lame duck session, and a whole bunch of TBDs – including the fate of several of President Trump’s nominees – awaiting us in the new year. In the Senate, 2025 will bring a new Republican majority with a new leadership team. We will also see many changes atop key committees in the 119th Congress, in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. Notably, there have been challenges to several long-serving Ranking Members in the House, and a couple of somewhat unexpected moves on the Republican side as well. For a better understanding of what all of this is likely to mean for policy-making, government funding, and political dynamics on the Hill, be sure to check out our one-day New Congress class, happening online on January 15.
But before we look too far ahead, I hope you’ll take some time to read a guest article in this month’s newsletter from Lorelei Kelly of Georgetown Democracy, Education and Service (GeoDES) at the McCourt School of Public Policy and a longtime advocate for efforts to strengthen and modernize Congress. Ms. Kelly takes stock of the important and long overdue efforts of the House Select Committee on Modernization and offers some wonderful insights on the critical work yet to be done.
In closing, I’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of you who have attended our training this year. It has been exceptionally rewarding to share our passion for Congress (flawed though it may be) with all of you, and we hope to see you again soon.
Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful new year,
Kristin
Categories: Director's Desk, Media Center, Updates