• Congress Recesses; Will Return After Elections for Lame
  Duck Session
• Rep. Ballenger Signs NASE Pledge
• Update: Senate Confirms McClellan to Head FDA
• Update: Tax Package Plans Abandoned
• Alert: Register to Vote on NASE’s Web Site

Congress Recesses; Will Return After Elections for Lame Duck Session

Last week, the House and Senate left Washington, D.C., giving lawmakers running for re-election a little over two weeks to campaign. Both chambers will return on November 12 to complete unfinished business– including appropriation measures that need to be passed to continue funding the government. The “lame duck” session, which is not expected to last more than a week, means that members of Congress who may not have been re-elected will return to vote on the remaining budget measures, any conference reports that have emerged from negotiations and, possibly, homeland security legislation.

Washington Watch will keep you updated on Congress’ actions when they return in November.
 

Rep. Ballenger Signs NASE Pledge

In a move to demonstrate strong support for America's micro-businesses as a chief engine of the nation's economy, Congressman Cass Ballenger (R-NC) has signed the NASE Pledge to Protect and Promote American Entrepreneurship. By endorsing the pledge, the Congressman promised to actively advocate and promote legislation in the current and future legislative sessions that will assist the self-employed and micro-business communities as well as oppose and/or amend any legislation that may be detrimental to the continued success of this crucial group.

Urge your Members of Congress to reaffirm their commitment for our nation’s self-employed and micro-business communities by signing the NASE Pledge.
 

Update: Senate Confirms McClellan to Head FDA

The Senate confirmed the White House nomination of Mark B. McClellan as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week. McClellan is currently a member of the President's Council on Economic Advisors and also serves as a senior policy director for health care and related economic issues for the White House. He has been the administration’s foremost advocate of association health plans and health care tax credits, which were included in Bush’s small-business agenda earlier this year.

For more of McClellan’s credentials, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/09/20020925-4.html
 

Update: Tax Package Plans Abandoned

Last week Washington Watch reported on a possible House debate on a tax package. This week the House abandoned plans to debate the tax package when Republicans could not get enough support from their own party. Party leaders said disagreement over some of the provisions of the measure could not be reconciled before recessing for elections. One controversial provision was 'corporate inversion,' which would have imposed the equivalent of tax penalties on firms that move overseas to avoid paying federal taxes.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA), who introduced the package, said he might revive the issue during the lame duck session in November or next year.
 

Alert: Register to Vote on NASE's Web site

Did you know that you can register to vote at NASE’s Legislative Action Center? If you have not already registered with your State’s Board of Elections, do so now – elections are November 5! You can also read more about your current representative’s record on many important micro-business issues. The NASE encourages you to pay attention to the races in your area, research the work your elected officials have done for you and compare it with what their challengers may be offering. And of course, be sure to vote!
 

Do any of these issues affect you? Do you want to be proactive in helping the micro-business community? Visit the NASE's Legislative Action Center and “Tell Your Small Business Story.” This will help the NASE understand - on a personal level - how key legislative issues are affecting your business and your bottom line.

For more information about any of the articles in Washington Watch, contact Maureen Petron, NASE public affairs manager, at (202) 466-2100 or mpetron@nase.org.