Water Well Journal

January 2017

Water Well Journal

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Guest EDITORIAL T here is no doubt the 2016 elections ushered in a new era in Washington, D.C. Republicans have not held both chambers of Congress and the White House in more than 10 years. And after eight years of the Obama administration, Republicans plan to work quickly to undo many of the actions taken during his presi- dency like the Affordable Care Act, Clean Power Plan, and the Waters of the United States rule. When one party is in control of Congress and the White House, those years tend to yield more productivity, as fewer veto threats manifest. Donald Trump's transition team has been working quickly to assemble a team to work with Congress to begin implementing this agenda in Trump's first 100 days in office. President-elect Trump ran an unconventional campaign, and his transition to the White House is providing some indi- cation his cabinet will also be a change of pace from recent presidential administrations. Given his experience is drawn from the business world rather than the political world, his nominees for cabinet posts reflect a balance between the business world and "professional Washington." For example, Reince Priebus, who served as chair of the Republican National Committee, was chosen as White House Chief of Staff, and Steve Bannon, who had previously been a media executive before serving on Trump's campaign, was chosen as Chief White House Strategist. How this balance will impact governing remains to be seen but will certainly represent a shift from recent administrations. Agenda: Trump's First 100 Days The first 100 days of a new President's administration is an opportunity to fulfill campaign promises and set a course for the next four years. Here are a few highlights President-elect Trump has noted he would like to accomplish in his first 100 days in office. • Trump campaigned on an economic message, promising jobs and a restoration of America's infrastructure. A push to pass a major infrastructure bill is a likely focus. • He plans to reform the regulatory process with an execu- tive order that would require two regulations to be elimi- nated for every one new regulation proposed. • He campaigned on repealing the Clean Power Plan, but given pending action in the courts, it will be difficult to quickly reel back this plan designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • He is likely to nominate someone to fulfill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. 115th House of Representatives When the 115th Congress is sworn in on January 3, as was widely expected, the Republicans will retain control of the chamber with a split of 238-193 (with four undecided). The split is just slightly narrower than the 114th Congress, which was split at 247-188. Overall, one can expect dynamics within the House to re- main similar—with Republican leadership finding a balance between the varying views of its caucus as well as moderate Democrats, who may still be needed for passage of legislation. Paul Ryan received resounding support from Republicans to remain as Speaker of the House. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi received her party's backing to remain in her leadership role for the 115th Congress as well. 115th Senate In the Senate, Republicans will retain control of the upper chamber, though Democrats will pick up two seats. The breakdown in the Senate for the 115th Congress will be 53-47, with Democrats picking up the seats with the election of Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire and Tammy Duckworth in Illinois. Other new Senators who will be sworn in in January in- clude: Kamala Harris (D-California), who will be replacing retiring Barbara Boxer; Todd Young (R-Indiana), who sought an open seat from retiring Dan Coats; Chris Van Hollen (D- Maryland), who will replace a retiring Barbara Mikulski; and Catherine Cortez-Mastro (D-Nevada), who is replacing Harry Reid. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will remain as Majority Leader, but because Harry Reid retired, Chuck Schumer (D- New York) was chosen to take over as Minority Leader. THE 2016 ELECTION What a new Congress and Trump administration could mean for the groundwater professions. By Lauren Schapker waterwelljournal.com NGWA had already been working to make sure the priorities of the groundwater professionals will be highlighted. 10 January 2017 WWJ

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