Volume 17   Issue 33 - November 5, 2010
 

THEY’RE HEADED TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Forty-three sitting or former state legislators will serve their first U.S. House or Senate terms after prevailing in Tuesday’s election contests. That’s a little over half of the sitting or former state legislators who sought election to the Congress. We have included a list of the new members of Congress, for non-sitting members, the title reflects their last legislative position. Congratulations to the winners and please do not forget your state legislative roots when you go to Washington!

(List does not include incumbents)
* Denotes current state legislator

NCSL has tracked former state legislators in Congress since the late 1980s and reported that 46-52 percent of both houses’ membership combined have once served in state legislatures before serving in the Congress. The combined total for the 112^th Congress to be seated next January appears to be in the 49 percent neighborhood. When all races are final we will send out the new list. (NCSL staff contacts: Michael Bird, Jeff Hurley)

ON THE HORIZON—UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Now that the dust has settled on the election, members of the 111^th Congress are readying themselves for a lame duck session that starts on Nov. 15 and is likely to run into mid-December. But first they will hold freshmen orientation classes and organize for next year. Currently, there do not appear to be any leadership contests on the Senate side. On the House side, however, the No. 4 and No. 5 majority leadership slots are drawing contenders. Texas’ Jeb Hensarling is aiming at becoming the Republican conference chairman, succeeding Mike Pence of Indiana who has officially stepped down. Hensarling may draw competition from Minnesota’s Michelle Bachmann who is also a possible candidate for vice chair of the Republican Conference. Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers currently holds this latter leadership post but may have competition from Tennessee Representative Marsha Blackburn and Bachmann. On the Democratic side, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she will seek the position of minority leader. After these decisions are made, a potpourri of tax issues, appropriations and program extensions will be left for after Thanksgiving.

ON THE HORIZON - FINISHING BUSINESS

The president’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform holds its next-to-last meeting on Nov.10, 2010. It is supposed to issue recommendations at the final meeting, scheduled for Dec.1, 2010. (NCSL staff contacts: Michael Bird, Jeff Hurley)