Planning News From Washington

Contents include: Summary of planning and housing issues; final wrap-up of 106th Congress; preview of 107th Congress: election results, leadership, committees; and issues ahead: "Although most attention was focused on the historically close and contestedpresidential race, the November election also provided a new Congress thatwill be one of the most closely divided ever. The Democrats made a net gainof two seats, leaving the Republicans with a 222 - 213 advantage (the 107thCongress will have two independents - one will caucus with the GOP and theother with the Democrats). The Democrats made a strong showing in Senateraces making a net gain of four and achieving an even 50-50 split. Althoughthe GOP retains control of both chambers (Vice President-Elect Cheney willcast tie-breaking votes as President of the Senate), the thin majoritieswill change the way Congress does business in the 107th. This isparticularly true of the Senate where negotiations are ongoing regardingeven committee splits and even funding for committee staff resources."