Significant transition came to Washington this week as Republicans officially secured a slim majority in the House of Representatives for the 118^th Congress that convenes on Jan. 3. The GOP will control House committees for the final two years of President Biden’s current term, ensuring a clash of policy approaches. (Associated Press, Nov. 17 and Wall Street Journal, Nov. 16)

New House Leadership

• Confirmation of the new majority ushered in leadership votes in both chambers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), above, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced they will step aside while continuing to serve in Congress. (Pelosi’s House floor comments | C-Span video, Nov. 17 | The Hill, Nov. 17)
  
  
• The announcements pave the way for a new generation of House Democratic leadership likely to be filled by Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (NY) as minority leader; Katherine Clark (MA) as House whip; and Pete Aguilar (CA) as caucus chair. (Politico, Reuters and Wall Street Journal, Nov. 18 | Business Insider, Nov. 17)
  
  
• House Republicans voted this week to nominate House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) for speaker. (Axios and NBC News, Nov. 15)
  
  
• Other members of the House Republican leadership team include Representatives Steve Scalise (LA), Elyse Stefanik (NY), and Tom Emmer (MN).  (The Hill and Times Union, Nov. 15)
  
  
• Several House races remain too close to call. (NY Times, Nov. 18)
  
  
• In the Senate, Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) defeated a challenge by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) for Republican Minority Leader. (Louisville Courier Journal and USA Today, Nov. 16)
  
  
• Democrats retained their control of the upper chamber and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will continue in his position as Senate Majority Leader. (BuzzFeed, Nov 16)

Lame Duck Session

• During the lame duck session, lawmakers will consider which policy riders to attach to must-pass spending legislation. Current government funding expires on Dec. 16.
  
  
• Tax issues of importance to CRE that may be considered include rules related to business interest deductibility and an expired, temporary increase in allocations of low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) to states. Additionally, the 100% bonus depreciation benefit starts phasing down at the end of this year. (BGov, Nov. 16 and Roundtable Weekly, Nov. 11)
  
  
• Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR), above, said this week that tax extenders are “obviously” a priority for the panel. “All of the negotiators are committed to getting this done before we wrap up,” Wyden commented. (PoliticoPro, Nov. 15)
  
  
• Wyden added that he is also focused on energy and housing issues, including a new tax break to subsidize housing for average Americans. “There’s room to work on these issues in a bipartisan way as well,” Wyden noted. “Housing tax credits, for example, have long had bipartisan support.” (BGov, Nov. 14)

Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the top Republican on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, last week said he is talking with Democrats about a potential lame duck deal on taxes. (PoliticoPro, Nov. 10)

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