Update on the Results of the Election from Glynda Becker, Director of Federal Relations
The election is finally behind us and it brought little change to Washington DC. Congratulations to President Obama and his team on re-election and to Senator Maria Cantwell and our Congressional Delegation up for re-election!
Democrats maintained and grew their majority by 2 seats thanks to the work of our Senator Patty Murray, a WSU Alum, who lead the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, while Republicans kept the majority in the House, losing 7 seats after many thought they would lose more. Despite the gains by Congress, political voices are calling this a status quo election. Now all eyes are watching how or if the President and Congressional Leaders come together to get work done back here or if it’s just talk.
Nevertheless, Congress will return for the Lame Duck session on November 13, where Congressional Leadership will be elected in both parties, discussions over the looming sequestration and the expiring tax credits will begin and we hope a Farm Bill will be completed.
But first, here is a snapshot of what the election means for Washington State University and what should you keep an eye on:
- On Tuesday we will have one new Member of Congress earlier than the rest, as Congresswoman-elect Suzan DelBene will be sworn in to serve out Former Congressman Jay Inslee’s term in the “old”1st Congressional District for the lame duck session. Because she will be sworn in as early as Tuesday November 13, she will be the most senior member of the freshman class in the 113th Congress. Giving her seniority over her new Washington State colleagues.
- On January 3 we will have two new members sworn in as Congressman-elect Derek Kilmer (D, 6) and Congressman-elect Denny Heck (D, 10) join Congresswoman DelBene. Over the next six weeks we will start to see the Committee assignment shuffle as the more senior members consider moving committees based on spots that open up. The biggest decision besides finding an office for these members will be campaigning to get the best Committee assignments.
- These won’t be the only changes to Committee staffs effecting WSU and Washington State.
- WA State is currently not represented on the House Appropriations Committee with the retirement of Congressman Norm Dicks. (D, 6) Rumors are that Congressman Rick Larsen (D, 2) is looking to replace him on that committee. We should know in the next few weeks.
- WA has not had a member on the House Committee since Congressman Larsen left to join the House Armed Services Committee. Will Congresswoman DelBene, who has a partly rural district break that streak or will she try for a committee that will keep her more connected to the high tech community?
- Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Buetler currently sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and House Small Business Committee – rumor has it she is angling to get on the House Financial Services Committee.
- Will Senator Murray add new responsibilities to her plate after her successful run as DSCC chair?
- Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers election is not done as she is in the middle of a leadership race to run the House Republican Conference. House Republicans hold their leadership elections the week of November 12th when Congress comes back to town. If she is victorious, this will make her the 4th highest-ranking person in Congress, below the Speaker, Majority Whip and Majority Leader.
- Finally – House Majority Whip Eric Cantor said while campaigning in rural districts this fall that the House would move a Farm Bill during the lame duck session. Will this get done before the end of the year? We will be watching this issue very closely.
Keep an eye out on the blog as we will keep you posted back here on the changes going on, legislative updates and how all of this will impact our work at WSU.
Go Cougs!