Capitol Hill was quiet this month as legislators returned to their respective districts for August Recess. Congress will return
Capitol Hill was quiet this month as legislators returned to their respective districts for August Recess. Congress will return to DC for three weeks in September where most of their time will likely be spent in budget negotiations. With such little time before government funding expires, Congress will likely pass a Continuing Resolution or “CR” that funds the government at last year's levels.
In case you hadn’t heard, the 2024 presidential election is in full swing. After what was undoubtedly the most tumultuous July in electoral history, Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and formally accepted her party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. We also have at least two debates to look forward to. The first is in September between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris and the second is in October between Governor Waltz and Senator J.D. Vance.
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Legislative Action |
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Senate Fails to Pass Key Tax Legislation
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The Senate failed to pass H.R. 7024, The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, on August 1. The comprehensive tax package was the result of lengthy negotiations between Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO). H.R. 7024 passed in the House earlier this year with vast bipartisan support and would have reauthorized, expanded or made permanent several expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions vital for small businesses. The bill unfortunately failed by a vote of 48-44 due primarily to Republican concerns over expansion of the Child Tax Credit. NECA continues to work with legislators to chart a path forward to address the provisions that expire in 2025.
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Transmission Permitting Bill Clears Senate Committee
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On July 31, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced NECA-supported, S. 4753 Energy Permitting Reform Act, with a 15-4 vote. As mentioned in our July newsletter, this bill is an important step to addressing permitting reform issues. Although the Manchin-Barrasso package is being advertised as a popular and bipartisan bill it still has several roadblocks in its way. With only three legislative weeks scheduled in September, there is not much time to pass the package before election day. The bill’s retiring author, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has drawn the ire of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer with his vote record, making the path to floor consideration much more difficult. If the bill can clear the Senate, House GOP energy policy leaders have their own reservations but are open to working with the Senate to reach an agreement. NECA continues to work with both chambers to address the transmission piece of permitting reform before the end of the year.
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Upcoming Government Affairs Events |
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Political Leadership Council (PLC) Retreat – November 8-10 at the JW Marriott in Marco Island, FL
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- We are excited to host you all for the 2024 Political Leadership Council Retreat in Florida the weekend following the 2024 elections. Registration for this event is now open to individual PLC members and closes on Friday, October 25th. Reach out to the team if you are interested in learning more about the PLC!
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National Electrical Contractors Association
1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1200
Washington
D.C.
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