On Wednesday of this week the House and Senate swore in all members and kicked off the 112th Congress. After a tumultuous election in 2010 there are more changes happening on Capitol Hill than Washington has seen in a long time. With 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats in the House John Boehner (R-OH) was handily elected Speaker. In the Senate the Democrats retained their majority with 51 Members and Republicans closed the gap with 47 members, there are two Independents. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) continues to keep his post as Majority Leader.
In the House Speaker Boehner said, "Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress- no longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin to carry out their instructions."
In the other chamber Majority Leader Reid said, "The most important change we can make in the 112th Congress is to work better and more closely as teammates, not as opponents - as partners, not as partisans - to fulfill our constitutional responsibility to pursue a more perfect union."
The year ahead will be full of changes in politics and policy and the first test up for the Republican House is a vote to the repeal health care law next Wednesday. Stay tuned for developments and updates from your NACS government relations team.
NACS Staff Contact: Julie Fields, jfields@nacsonline.com
Nothing in politics is more effective than meeting face-to-face with your elected officials. Join your NACS colleagues in Washington, DC, March 9-11 to welcome the new Congress to town and to put your stamp on the new Congressional agenda.
Be among the first from our industry to engage with the new Congress. NACS will provide the training tools necessary for success and schedule your meetings with key legislators.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
- 12:00 - 3:00 pm: Media Training - Space limited and reservation required
- 4:00 - 4:45 pm: NACS Issue Briefing
- 4:45 - 5:30 pm: How to Lobby Congress Briefing - distribution of schedules and coordination of groups
- 6:00 - 6:45 pm: Cocktail Reception
- 6:45 - 8:15 pm: Dinner with Political Speaker
- 8:30 - 10:30 pm: Special Evening Tour of U.S. Capitol Building led by Members of Congress (reservations required)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
- 8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast on Capitol Hill
- 9:00 - 5:00 pm: Meetings with Representatives and Senators
- 5:30 - 6:30 pm: NACSPAC Congressional Reception
- 7:00 - 10:00 pm: Dinner/Event to be Determined
Friday, March 11, 2011
- 8:00 - 12:00 pm: Board of Directors' Meeting
For more information and to register go to capitolconnect.com/nacs.
NACS Staff Contact: Kelly Fink, kfink@nacsonline.com.