CSAC Bulletin Articles: Federal Issues

Following a brief Thanksgiving recess, Congress returned to Washington to face an uncertain lame-duck agenda. As the 111th Congress comes to a close, it remains to be seen if lawmakers can complete action on several major pieces of legislation, such as the fiscal year 2011 appropriations, the expiring Bush-era tax cuts, and an extension of unemployment benefits.

With the midterm elections rapidly approaching and control of both houses of Congress at stake, jittery lawmakers adjourned early on September 30 to hit the campaign trail. The adjournment was sooner than expected as lawmakers were originally scheduled to be in session the week of October 4.

In the weeks leading up to adjournment, Congress accomplished little in the way of legislative business. Democratic congressional leadership has opted to deal with some of the more thorny issues when lawmakers return for a lame-duck session after the elections.