Publications :  The Watcher :  OMB Watcher Vol. 7: 2006 :  November 21, 2006 Vol. 7, No. 23 : 

In This Issue

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Americans Demand New Direction in New Congress (11/21/2006)
With the midterm elections over, exit polling and voter reactions indicate Americans want reform on issues close to home, and not the partisanship and corruption of Congress’s past. In a post-election letter from Executive Director Gary Bass, OMB Watch solicited responses from its email subscribers and appreciates the thoughtful and insightful comments. The responses received make one thing clear: Americans want our nation led down a new path - one with honest campaigns, an inclusive economy, and a clean environment.

Senate Committee Set to Vote on Dudley for Regulatory Czar (11/21/2006)
The Senate is likely to vote in December on the nomination of Susan Dudley to be the new regulatory czar, according to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Despite widespread criticism from the public interest community on the nomination, a confirmation hearing in which Dudley evaded disclosing much about her views, and new concerns about a perception of a conflict regarding her husband serving as head of an office that writes environmental regulations, it appears that Collins's committee will move forward with the nomination.

Democrats Pledge Ethics Reforms (11/21/2006)
Two weeks after the election, attention has turned to considering what the results mean for government priorities and the likely impacts on the way Congress operates. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are working on an agenda for the 110th Congress that includes ethics and lobbying reform proposals as part of their "100 Hours" initiative. As incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, "We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending."

FEC Expands Regulation of Voter Guides (11/21/2006)
A Nov. 9, 2006 enforcement decision by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) expands federal campaign finance regulation to voter guides that do not endorse or oppose candidates if the FEC determines the guide's overall content implies support or opposition to federal candidates. The case arose from a complaint filed in December 2004 by Edmund A. Hamburger of Pinellas Park, FL, which claimed "the Sierra Club was advocating the election of Senator Kerry to the Presidency of the United States." On Nov. 9, the Sierra Club chose to settle the case and pay a $28,000 civil fine rather than incur further legal expenses, but denied any wrongdoing. The case could discourage future efforts by advocacy organizations to educate voters about candidates' track records.

Same Old Congress, Same Old Budgetary Gridlock: Long-Term CR Likely in December (11/21/2006)
Congress has made very little progress toward being able to finally adjourn for the year, leaving most of their appropriations work, a set of popular tax breaks, and funding problems in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program still unaddressed. With time running out, Congress will probably pass another extension of a budget-cutting continuing resolution, once again neglecting its duty to enact the annual spending bills.

Threat of Estate Tax Rollback Finished for 2006 (11/21/2006)
Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) admitted last week the Senate was unlikely to pass any permanent reduction to the estate tax in 2006, despite repeated attempts and rhetorical ultimatums from Frist and his allies.

Supreme Court May Hear Secret Regulation Case (11/21/2006)
Several groups are appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on a secret Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulation. The regulation requires airlines to check the identification of passengers. The Ninth Circuit held that, even though the rule is not publicly accessible, it does not violate the Constitution's protection of due process.

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