Congress in 2022

Redoubled policy priorities and the midterm elections

by SEAN GROSSNICKLE

It’s a new year, on Capitol Hill and members of Congress returned to a snow-covered Washington, D.C., in early January to commence the second session of the 117th Congress. Lawmakers spent the opening weeks revisiting unfinished agendas from 2021, addressing the Omicron variant, and promoting voting-rights legislation. This new year is host to a jam-packed agenda, from the pandemic response to social spending to federal government funding. And the 2022 midterm elections take place in November, so expect lawmakers to hit the campaign trail in full force. With all that’s going on, here is what America’s hoteliers can expect from Congress in the coming months.

COOPERATION IN CONGRESS
After a partisan year of politics, Democrats and Republicans are unlikely to mend their divisive relationship. Political infighting and party-line defectors defined the 117th Congress’s first legislative session, particularly in the split Senate where Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) often opposed key measures of President Biden’s policies. The 2022 midterm elections will further strain this relationship as lawmakers are keen to achieve as many political victories as possible, whether that is passing legislation or obstructing it depends on the member’s political affiliation. Common ground between the two parties will be scarce.

Congress still faces looming deadlines that it extended near the close of 2021, principally the December continuing resolution that funds the federal government through Feb. 18, 2022. Just months ago, Democrats and Republicans scrambled to pass the continuing resolution and raise the debt ceiling twice, teeing up another test of bipartisan cooperation. The major spike in COVID-19 cases could create an opportunity for a supplemental spending bill passed with bipartisan support. The AAHOA Government Affairs Team will continue to monitor and report the latest news and updates to AAHOA Members.

POLICY PREVIEW
Congressional Democrats, holding narrow majorities in both chambers, remain intent on delivering the Build Back Better Act, the cornerstone climate and social-spending legislation topping President Biden’s agenda. The bill was tabled in December after it failed to receive support in the Senate. At the time this article was penned, lawmakers had yet to renegotiate the policies, price, and measures of the Build Back Better Act, which could be delayed through March.

AAHOA 2022 policy priorities