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November 14, 2016
In Washington: NSSF Post-election 2016 Roundup
NEW ADMINISTRATIVE TONE
Those of us in the firearms, ammunition and related industries can truly breathe a sigh of relief with the results of the 2016 Election so clear to see. We will not have to worry that a new president will nominate a Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia who will be the deciding vote in any challenge to the Heller decision. Nor will we have to worry about a U.S. Senate that would approve that nomination. Similarly, there will be no repeal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).
In addition, we will not have to face more overreaching executive orders from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or behind-the-scenes, politically motivated bureaucratic rule-making from departments and agencies intended to erode our industry’s ability to conduct business within the law. That said, the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, as one founding father remarked. Indeed, we cannot become complacent. NSSF will not be letting down its guard in any sense on behalf of the industry and we will continue to keep you informed of any and all developments and when grassroots action will be required to encourage Congress to act or the administration to lead.
ON CAPITOL HILL
The Republican Party has retained control of Congress, keeping majorities in the House and Senate. In principle and eventually in fact, that means President Trump should be able to work with Congress to turn campaign policy pronouncements and Republican Congressional proposed bills into law. The election began with majority control of the Senate at issue, with 34 of the 100 seats available, and Republicans having to defend 24 of those 34 seats. Democrats gained just two seats in the Senate, with Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, taking Mark Kirk’s place in Illinois and Maggie Hassan replacing Kelly Ayotte representing New Hampshire. In Nevada, Cortez Masto retained Minority leader Harry Reid’s seat for the Democrats, beating Republican Joe Heck.
In other Senate races, Todd Young defeated former Sen. Evan Bayh in Indiana. North Carolina Republican Richard Burr holds onto his seat. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson held off Russ Feingold. In Florida, former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio won re-election. And in Arizona, Republican Senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain won his sixth term at the age of 80.
Democrats also failed to significantly dent the Republican advantage in the House, with only five Republican incumbent seats lost.
Categories: BP Item, Bullet Points, Government Relations, Industry News, Top Stories
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