Do you remember … congressional deadlines of December
Dec. 3—Government funding runs out. We anticipate Congress will pass a short-term extension into 2022.
Dec. 15—The Treasury Department anticipates nearing the debt limit once again. Extraordinary measures could push this date into 2022.
Year-end—The National Defense Authorization Act, one of the historically bipartisan bills that passes every year, currently is held up in the Senate because of procedural and foreign policy issues such as authorization of the use of military force, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and requiring young women to register for the draft.
Year-end—This is Democrats’ soft deadline to pass the Build Back Better Act that made its way through the House in November. We also anticipate this will get pushed into 2022.
Omicron variant adds uncertainty as Congress and the administration weigh options
On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization designated the variant B.1.1.529—named Omicron—a variant of concern; it currently is prevalent in South Africa. WHO is coordinating with researchers throughout the world to better understand this variant, and studies are underway, including assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments. This news led to the Biden administration instituting a travel ban from certain African countries, and Congress already is discussing the potential need for an emergency funding package—albeit smaller—to combat Omicron.
Could congressional retirement numbers mean a House flip?
The House Press Gallery keeps a running tally of retirements. Often, a large number of retirements from the party in power points to a congressional flip, which is what everyone is talking about.
It's not too early to start thinking about 2024
On the Democrat side, everyone is surmising but few truly think President Biden will run again in 2024. Where does that leave the party? Vice President Kamala Harris is a natural suggestion, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is in the mix, as well. We also are keeping an eye on gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro.
Much like the Democrats, Republicans have two clear front-runners for the party’s nomination in 2024: former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.). Similar to the speculation regarding President Biden’s run, no one knows whether Trump will try again. He continues to stay relevant by backing midterm candidates and raising a ton of money from his fiercely loyal base. Others testing the waters include Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas), businessman Donald Trump Jr., former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
