Both the House and Senate are scheduled to convene the week of November 15 for a “lame-duck” session of Congress. The agenda that has been laid out includes a debate on extending the 2001 and 2003 “Bush” tax cuts (including extension of the tax credit for Energy Star manufactured and modular homes also known as “45L”), and passing an ominibus appropriations bill for the federal government for its 2011 fiscal year. A number of other issues could also potentially come up for consideration, including an energy efficiency tax measure and an extension of current unemployment benefits. MHI is preparing to push for the extension of the Energy Star tax credit

The House and Senate are scheduled to recess the week of November 22 (Thanksgiving week) and then wrap up the session the week of November 29.

Also during the week of November 15, Republicans and Democrats are scheduled to elect leaders for next years Congress.

Republicans are expected to formally elect Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker of the House, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) as House Majority Leader, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House Majority Whip.

For the Democrats, current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to run unopposed for the position of House Minority Leader in the 112th Congress and current majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and majority whip James Clyburn (D-SC) are expected to compete for the House Minority Whip position.

For more information, contact MHI Vice President of Government Relations Jason Boehlert at 703-558-0660 or jboehlert@mfghome.org.