Congress wrapped up its pre-election work last week. After the votes are cast on November 8th, Congress will return November 14th. That will be an organizing week for the next Congress. The Democrats and Republicans in each chamber set their own schedules for the following activities: leadership elections; adoption of new conference rules; and steering committee formation. The Freshman orientation for new House members will span the two weeks surrounding Thanksgiving. Leadership elections in both Chambers are expected to occur the week of 11/14. The major caucuses will also begin their organizing activities in the lame duck. Decisions on open chairmanships and A committee slots likely won’t be resolved till after Thanksgiving. Changes in the partisan balance of the House and Senate would result in adjustments of committee ratios and budgets.The CR will take us through December 9th. Therefore, there will likely be a minimum of three weeks for the lame duck on the short side. Predicting much about the lame duck agenda without first knowing the election results is unwise, but the following menu is in play:Must Pass (or likely to get done):

• FY17 Appropriations
• National Defense Authorization Act
• Water Resources Development Act (that addresses Flint, MI water issues)

Possibilities: (loosely organized in order of likely resolution)

• Immigration Related Extensions: (likely to be reauthorized or extended)
• EB-5 program (investor visas)
• Conrad 30 (waiver for rural doctors)
• R visa (religious workers)
• E-verify
• Amendments to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
• 21st Century Cures (or portions)
• Pension fix for coal miners
• Miscellaneous noncontroversial tax and retirement bills passed by Finance and W&M
• Tax extenders (There are over 30 provisions that expire on 12/31/16)
• Intelligence Authorization
• Energy bill (in conference)
• Medicare Package
• Legislative fix for CMMI Part B demo
• Miscellaneous low cost, non-controversial member priorities
• Criminal justice reform
• Craft Beverage Modernization Act
• Mental health bill
• Marketplace Fairness Act/Remote Transactions Parity Act
• Various pending nominations
• Merrick Garland nomination (unlikely)
• TPP (unlikely)Armstrong Robinson
• Armstrong has been getting things done in Washington for more than a decade. Directly for Members of Congress and for Clients, he has developed astute game-plans including coalitions, communications, legislative and political strategies for positively affecting outcomes. Army works with Prime Policy Group's clients in areas including Tax, Energy, Healthcare, Appropriations, Budget, Financial Services, Technology and Data.