The U.S. midterm elections have dealt a new setback to President Obama. As was widely expected, voters have given Republicans control of both chambers of Congress, weakening the president’s already diminished influence in his last two years in office.
But there’s another set of winners and losers in this this election: the sectors, issues and interest groups that have a stake in the outcome.
Brunswick Group’s take on what the 2014 midterm elections mean for your companies, industries and interest groups.
For more information please contact our Washington, DC office: http://www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
The 2016 presidential election is already being billed as the most expensive in history, but the value of its impact on U.S. companies and multinationals operating in the U.S. could be much greater. From the fate of corporate inversions to the future of energy and climate change regulations, never before has so much ridden on the outcome of a single vote.
For more information contact:
David Sutphen: www.brunswickgroup.com/people/directory/david-sutphen/
Or our Washington, DC office: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
Brunswick Insight has released its US Post-Election Business Outlook research which includes survey data from Washington elites and US Financial elites.
For more information please contact our Washington, DC office: http://www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
This document provides a summary of key issues likely to be priorities for President-elect Donald Trump's first 100 days in office based on an analysis by Brunswick Group. It finds that Trump will likely work with a Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, lower corporate taxes, reduce financial and environmental regulations, boost oil and gas production, and withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. However, progress may be slowed by Democratic opposition in the Senate and Trump will need to determine whether to govern as a partisan or seek bipartisan cooperation.
U.S. Presidential election China implications Brunswick Group
The unprecedented nature of this election has communication implications for companies across the globe, and especially for China. The country is a frequent topic in presidential candidates’ speeches on the campaign trail.
Companies operating in China, and particularly those with strong ties to both China and the U.S., should consider the white-hot campaign spotlight on China during the election. Clear communication, careful planning, and deliberate timing are more essential now than ever.
For more information please contact our following offices:
Beijing: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/beijing/
Hong Kong: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/hong-kong/
Shanghai: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/shanghai/
Washington, DC: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
Republicans gained control of the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, giving the GOP majority control of both houses of Congress for the first time in Obama's presidency. Obama and the new Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, pledged to work together to advance bipartisan legislation, though warned there would still be disagreements that could lead to veto showdowns. Key issues that may see compromise include trade deals and infrastructure spending, while immigration and repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act face more opposition between the two parties. The shift in power dynamic means Obama will have less ability to advance his agenda for his last two years as president.
The document summarizes the findings of a survey of 631 likely voters conducted after President Trump's 2018 State of the Union address. Key findings include:
1) 49% of respondents had a more favorable view of Trump after watching the address, while Republican women strongly supported Trump and Democratic women strongly opposed him.
2) Independent women were divided - over half felt more optimistic after the speech but only 36% thought tax reform would benefit them personally.
3) Respondents generally supported infrastructure investment and veterans' issues, but independent women disagreed more with Trump's claims about economic achievements and deregulation.
This document provides an election night viewing guide, outlining key states and races to watch as polls close between 6-7PM and 7PM Eastern time. It recommends ignoring early exit poll leaks and turnout reports, as initial exit polls are often inaccurate and long lines do not necessarily indicate high turnout. As Virginia polls close at 7PM, the author notes several counties to watch that could provide early clues about the outcome there and in other competitive states.
The 2016 presidential election is already being billed as the most expensive in history, but the value of its impact on U.S. companies and multinationals operating in the U.S. could be much greater. From the fate of corporate inversions to the future of energy and climate change regulations, never before has so much ridden on the outcome of a single vote.
For more information contact:
David Sutphen: www.brunswickgroup.com/people/directory/david-sutphen/
Or our Washington, DC office: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
Brunswick Insight has released its US Post-Election Business Outlook research which includes survey data from Washington elites and US Financial elites.
For more information please contact our Washington, DC office: http://www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
This document provides a summary of key issues likely to be priorities for President-elect Donald Trump's first 100 days in office based on an analysis by Brunswick Group. It finds that Trump will likely work with a Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, lower corporate taxes, reduce financial and environmental regulations, boost oil and gas production, and withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. However, progress may be slowed by Democratic opposition in the Senate and Trump will need to determine whether to govern as a partisan or seek bipartisan cooperation.
U.S. Presidential election China implications Brunswick Group
The unprecedented nature of this election has communication implications for companies across the globe, and especially for China. The country is a frequent topic in presidential candidates’ speeches on the campaign trail.
Companies operating in China, and particularly those with strong ties to both China and the U.S., should consider the white-hot campaign spotlight on China during the election. Clear communication, careful planning, and deliberate timing are more essential now than ever.
For more information please contact our following offices:
Beijing: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/beijing/
Hong Kong: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/hong-kong/
Shanghai: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/shanghai/
Washington, DC: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/washington-dc/
Republicans gained control of the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, giving the GOP majority control of both houses of Congress for the first time in Obama's presidency. Obama and the new Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, pledged to work together to advance bipartisan legislation, though warned there would still be disagreements that could lead to veto showdowns. Key issues that may see compromise include trade deals and infrastructure spending, while immigration and repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act face more opposition between the two parties. The shift in power dynamic means Obama will have less ability to advance his agenda for his last two years as president.
The document summarizes the findings of a survey of 631 likely voters conducted after President Trump's 2018 State of the Union address. Key findings include:
1) 49% of respondents had a more favorable view of Trump after watching the address, while Republican women strongly supported Trump and Democratic women strongly opposed him.
2) Independent women were divided - over half felt more optimistic after the speech but only 36% thought tax reform would benefit them personally.
3) Respondents generally supported infrastructure investment and veterans' issues, but independent women disagreed more with Trump's claims about economic achievements and deregulation.
This document provides an election night viewing guide, outlining key states and races to watch as polls close between 6-7PM and 7PM Eastern time. It recommends ignoring early exit poll leaks and turnout reports, as initial exit polls are often inaccurate and long lines do not necessarily indicate high turnout. As Virginia polls close at 7PM, the author notes several counties to watch that could provide early clues about the outcome there and in other competitive states.
MSL Germany - Public Affairs Survey 2015 (engl.)MSL Germany
For the 14th consecutive year, we asked public affairs professionals in Germany to evaluate the political status quo and tell us about the latest developments in the public affairs sector. The following is a summary of the key results of this year’s survey:
Confidence in politics restored
Following a notable dip in the first year of the Grand Coalition (22 per cent), confidence in politicians and their actions bounced back this year, with 39 per cent of respondents saying that politicians were ‘reliable partners’. Christian Democrats received the greatest vote of confidence. 89 per cent of respondents considered their relationships with the CDU to be ‘constructive’.
Government’s approval ratings improve
Similarly, confidence in the Grand Coalition’s performance went up. 57 per cent said that the Federal Government was doing a ‘good job’, an improvement of 14 per cent on last year.
Especially the Government’s foreign trade policy, which includes TTIP, was rated favourably by public affairs professionals. Opposition parties (i. e. Greens and Left Party), on the other hand, were given negative ratings.
Public affairs spending goes up
Corporations and trade associations increased their spending on public affairs in the past 12 months. 39 per cent spent more on public affairs personnel, while 45 per cent increased their spending on external service providers, including consulting work. Of these, more than half favoured full-service consultancies with a strong public affairs offering, as opposed to public affairs only outfits or law firms.
Digital public affairs continues to grow
The use of social media is becoming even more commonplace in public affairs. 52 per cent of respondents use Twitter, while 36 per cent rely on Facebook, 29 per cent on the German-centric career platform Xing, and 25 per cent on its international counterpart LinkedIn.
Work the Switches Before the German Federal ElectionMSL
An era of relative stability in Germany’s political landscape is coming to an end. For some time, traditional party ties have been weakening, especially in Germany’s old eastern states – but increasingly also in the old west.
Our MSLGROUP Germany team is passionate about political communication and see through the fog of Germany’s diverse and de-centralized regulatory and media landscapes. Benefitting from an outstanding close-knit political network, we know what makes German policy-makers tick – offering our clients access to formal and informal decision-making processes.
For more information connect with our team on Twitter @MSL_Germany.
"It's Jobs, Stupid": Democracy Corps/Campaign for America's Future Pollourfuture
A Democracy Corps/Campaign for America's Future survey examines the top economic priorities of American voters, the extent to which they are rejecting the economic priorities of conservatives and offers insight into what Democrats will have to do in order to regain the support of the public. More details on the poll and links to related material on ourfuture.org/economypoll2011
Three key findings from the document:
1) Voters are highly dissatisfied with the direction of the country and both political parties in Congress due to the poor economy and lack of results on jobs.
2) Republicans have an enthusiasm advantage going into the midterm elections, especially among young voters, while Democrats face an enthusiasm gap.
3) The economy overwhelmingly dominates voters' concerns, with unemployment the top issue, making voters sensitive to arguments about taxes, spending and deficits.
PRS’ coverage of the Americas includes a new report on Brazil, where President Dilma Rousseff’s second term has gotten off to a very rocky start, with a widening corruption scandal at state-owned Petrobras that poses a threat to the unity of Rousseff’s legislative coalition. Her political troubles come at a most inopportune time. A sluggish economy and a pre-election spending spree contributed to a widening of the fiscal deficit last year, and the government is under pressure to reassure
The document provides information and rules for entering a contest to win tickets to Super Bowl XLIII. It states that entering the contest is easy and involves picking the team that will have the most passing yards, rushing yards, and return yards each week. The contest closes on January 10, 2009. Some legal restrictions apply to entering and winning is dependent on the number of eligible entries received.
The document outlines key issues likely to be priorities for the new Trump administration in its first six months, including funding the government, tax reform, immigration, infrastructure, repealing/replacing the Affordable Care Act, regulatory reform, and energy policy. It also discusses leadership changes in Congress and anticipated cabinet appointments. Major priorities will be reducing taxes, strengthening immigration enforcement and border security, and undoing Obama-era regulations.
This document provides instructions for a federal government assessment assignment. Students are asked to answer at least 4 out of 8 questions in 35,000 words or less regarding various topics impacting the federal government. The questions cover issues like the role of congressional hearings, international agreements, immigration reform under the Biden administration, the impact of social movements, tax policy, monetary policy, and potential legal issues facing former President Trump. Students are encouraged to thoroughly research the questions and demonstrate their skills through examples, graphs, and illustrations.
Canada and Aboriginal Groups - Issues and Solutions - September 2018paul young cpa, cga
This document provides an overview of issues related to Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It discusses issues such as funding for First Nations groups, socioeconomic challenges, economic development opportunities, resource management, public safety, water and land management. The document calls for more accountability and transparency in funding, and for all parties to work on solutions rather than blame. It also argues the federal government needs a better partnership approach with the Assembly of First Nations.
This document summarizes an article from the Winter 2002 issue of the Employer Advocate magazine published by Associated Industries of Florida. The article discusses Senate President John McKay's proposal to reform Florida's tax structure by reducing the sales tax rate from 6% to 4% while eliminating many current exemptions. While some exemptions make little sense, eliminating exemptions could significantly increase taxes for businesses. The article argues for a careful review of each exemption based on its merits rather than an arbitrary elimination of exemptions. McKay's proposal does not allow sufficient time or consideration for such a review.
Shifting the Understanding of Lobbyist Revolving DoorsJohn Jameson
This document summarizes previous research on the "revolving door" phenomenon between regulators and regulated industries. It discusses two seminal studies from 1979 and 1986 that examined how prior employment backgrounds influenced voting patterns of commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The 1979 Gormley study found some evidence that FCC commissioners with broadcasting industry backgrounds tended to vote more favorably for broadcasting interests, though other factors like political party were also influential. The 1986 Cohen study expanded on this work with a larger dataset and found support for effects from both the "entrance" and "exit" sides of the revolving door. The current study aims to build on this literature by examining revolving door connections held by lobbyists across different sectors.
2012 C A S H Case - Presidential ElectionTyrone Scott
This document provides an overview of the major issues in the 2012 U.S. presidential election between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. It focuses on the economy, healthcare, debt and spending, taxes, and other domestic and foreign policy issues. The economy, and particularly unemployment, will likely be the dominant issue due to the slow recovery from the financial crisis. President Obama will be judged on his handling of the economy while Governor Romney argues his policies have failed. Other major issues include the Affordable Care Act, government spending and debt, and differing approaches to taxes and immigration between the candidates.
This document summarizes research on population growth and differences in voting behavior between Republican and Democratic legislators within U.S. state legislative districts. The researchers found that districts experiencing greater population growth between 2000-2010 were more likely to see greater differences in how Republican vs. Democratic legislators voted, compared to the average partisanship of the district. Specifically, their statistical model found a small but significant relationship between population growth percentage and the size of this partisan voting difference, known as "intra-district deviation." They conclude that fast-growing districts have constituencies that are more fluid and permit greater divergence between a legislator's votes and the average views of their district.
Global insights audio-slides-07-27-11-modifiedtyandros
The document discusses the rapid expansion of laws and regulations in the US, arguing that this undermines the rule of law and free market capitalism. It notes that regulations have increased from a few dozen criminal statutes to over 4,500 federal crimes today. Many laws lack requirements to prove criminal intent. The Dodd-Frank and Affordable Care Act laws are criticized as being overly long and complex, influenced by lobbyists, and not read or understood by lawmakers. The conclusion is that this overregulation kills incentives for businesses to invest and will lead to depression.
General Election Briefing 2015 by FTI ConsultingJohn Gusman
This document provides an overview and analysis of the political landscape ahead of the 2015 UK general election. It discusses that the election is highly unpredictable and may result in a hung parliament. The Conservatives and Labour are neck and neck in polls, but Labour has an advantage due to boundary issues. The rise of UKIP and decline of the Liberal Democrats splits the right and left votes respectively. Whoever wins will still face significant challenges around issues like the economy, EU relations, and devolution in Scotland. Another coalition government is a real possibility.
This document discusses how a Trump presidency may impact Dodd-Frank, the CFPB, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Experts believe Dodd-Frank likely won't be fully repealed due to parts being integrated into the financial system, but targeted changes could replace the CFPB director and weaken its enforcement powers. GSE reform proposals have stalled in Congress due to Republican philosophical divisions. Trump may kick reforms down the road or back recapitalizing and releasing Fannie and Freddie from government control.
Voters Want Marijuana Legalization Now More Than a $15 Minimum WageEvergreen Buzz
Would you like legal weed or $15 an hour minimum wage, read this https://cannabis.net/blog/news/people-now-want-marijuana-legalization-more-than-a-15-minimum-wage-what-will-biden-do-now
Booklet highlighting the key messages from the OECD publication "Lobbyists, G...OECD Governance
Booklet highlighting the key messages from the OECD publication Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 3. More information can be found at www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/lobbyists-governments-and-public-trust-volume-3-9789264214224-en.htm
The document provides updates on state and local policy and politics issues. Key points include:
- A study found the Senate tax plan would increase GDP, wages, and jobs over the long term. Vice President Pence promoted tax reform to governors. The plan puts some vulnerable House Republicans in a difficult position.
- Changes to state and local tax deductions in the tax plans could impact budgets in high-tax states like New York and California. Some states are looking to weigh in on reforms to state and local tax deductions.
- Other topics covered include infrastructure provisions in the tax bills, rising state spending, medical marijuana policies, trade deals like NAFTA and TPP, and climate accord commitments despite the US withdrawal from the Paris
- Privacy issues will continue to be a major concern for Congress and the upcoming elections, fueled by increased computer and internet usage. While industry self-regulation was previously preferred, there is now support for more aggressive privacy regulation, especially around financial and medical information.
- The FTC now supports new regulatory powers over companies collecting personal data online, while the Administration focuses on financial and medical privacy. Congress remains reluctant to pass comprehensive privacy laws.
- Several bills have been introduced to address privacy, including establishing a commission to study existing laws and make recommendations, and strengthening protections for financial and medical privacy data. However, opponents argue these approaches could delay needed legislation.
MSL Germany - Public Affairs Survey 2015 (engl.)MSL Germany
For the 14th consecutive year, we asked public affairs professionals in Germany to evaluate the political status quo and tell us about the latest developments in the public affairs sector. The following is a summary of the key results of this year’s survey:
Confidence in politics restored
Following a notable dip in the first year of the Grand Coalition (22 per cent), confidence in politicians and their actions bounced back this year, with 39 per cent of respondents saying that politicians were ‘reliable partners’. Christian Democrats received the greatest vote of confidence. 89 per cent of respondents considered their relationships with the CDU to be ‘constructive’.
Government’s approval ratings improve
Similarly, confidence in the Grand Coalition’s performance went up. 57 per cent said that the Federal Government was doing a ‘good job’, an improvement of 14 per cent on last year.
Especially the Government’s foreign trade policy, which includes TTIP, was rated favourably by public affairs professionals. Opposition parties (i. e. Greens and Left Party), on the other hand, were given negative ratings.
Public affairs spending goes up
Corporations and trade associations increased their spending on public affairs in the past 12 months. 39 per cent spent more on public affairs personnel, while 45 per cent increased their spending on external service providers, including consulting work. Of these, more than half favoured full-service consultancies with a strong public affairs offering, as opposed to public affairs only outfits or law firms.
Digital public affairs continues to grow
The use of social media is becoming even more commonplace in public affairs. 52 per cent of respondents use Twitter, while 36 per cent rely on Facebook, 29 per cent on the German-centric career platform Xing, and 25 per cent on its international counterpart LinkedIn.
Work the Switches Before the German Federal ElectionMSL
An era of relative stability in Germany’s political landscape is coming to an end. For some time, traditional party ties have been weakening, especially in Germany’s old eastern states – but increasingly also in the old west.
Our MSLGROUP Germany team is passionate about political communication and see through the fog of Germany’s diverse and de-centralized regulatory and media landscapes. Benefitting from an outstanding close-knit political network, we know what makes German policy-makers tick – offering our clients access to formal and informal decision-making processes.
For more information connect with our team on Twitter @MSL_Germany.
"It's Jobs, Stupid": Democracy Corps/Campaign for America's Future Pollourfuture
A Democracy Corps/Campaign for America's Future survey examines the top economic priorities of American voters, the extent to which they are rejecting the economic priorities of conservatives and offers insight into what Democrats will have to do in order to regain the support of the public. More details on the poll and links to related material on ourfuture.org/economypoll2011
Three key findings from the document:
1) Voters are highly dissatisfied with the direction of the country and both political parties in Congress due to the poor economy and lack of results on jobs.
2) Republicans have an enthusiasm advantage going into the midterm elections, especially among young voters, while Democrats face an enthusiasm gap.
3) The economy overwhelmingly dominates voters' concerns, with unemployment the top issue, making voters sensitive to arguments about taxes, spending and deficits.
PRS’ coverage of the Americas includes a new report on Brazil, where President Dilma Rousseff’s second term has gotten off to a very rocky start, with a widening corruption scandal at state-owned Petrobras that poses a threat to the unity of Rousseff’s legislative coalition. Her political troubles come at a most inopportune time. A sluggish economy and a pre-election spending spree contributed to a widening of the fiscal deficit last year, and the government is under pressure to reassure
The document provides information and rules for entering a contest to win tickets to Super Bowl XLIII. It states that entering the contest is easy and involves picking the team that will have the most passing yards, rushing yards, and return yards each week. The contest closes on January 10, 2009. Some legal restrictions apply to entering and winning is dependent on the number of eligible entries received.
The document outlines key issues likely to be priorities for the new Trump administration in its first six months, including funding the government, tax reform, immigration, infrastructure, repealing/replacing the Affordable Care Act, regulatory reform, and energy policy. It also discusses leadership changes in Congress and anticipated cabinet appointments. Major priorities will be reducing taxes, strengthening immigration enforcement and border security, and undoing Obama-era regulations.
This document provides instructions for a federal government assessment assignment. Students are asked to answer at least 4 out of 8 questions in 35,000 words or less regarding various topics impacting the federal government. The questions cover issues like the role of congressional hearings, international agreements, immigration reform under the Biden administration, the impact of social movements, tax policy, monetary policy, and potential legal issues facing former President Trump. Students are encouraged to thoroughly research the questions and demonstrate their skills through examples, graphs, and illustrations.
Canada and Aboriginal Groups - Issues and Solutions - September 2018paul young cpa, cga
This document provides an overview of issues related to Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It discusses issues such as funding for First Nations groups, socioeconomic challenges, economic development opportunities, resource management, public safety, water and land management. The document calls for more accountability and transparency in funding, and for all parties to work on solutions rather than blame. It also argues the federal government needs a better partnership approach with the Assembly of First Nations.
This document summarizes an article from the Winter 2002 issue of the Employer Advocate magazine published by Associated Industries of Florida. The article discusses Senate President John McKay's proposal to reform Florida's tax structure by reducing the sales tax rate from 6% to 4% while eliminating many current exemptions. While some exemptions make little sense, eliminating exemptions could significantly increase taxes for businesses. The article argues for a careful review of each exemption based on its merits rather than an arbitrary elimination of exemptions. McKay's proposal does not allow sufficient time or consideration for such a review.
Shifting the Understanding of Lobbyist Revolving DoorsJohn Jameson
This document summarizes previous research on the "revolving door" phenomenon between regulators and regulated industries. It discusses two seminal studies from 1979 and 1986 that examined how prior employment backgrounds influenced voting patterns of commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The 1979 Gormley study found some evidence that FCC commissioners with broadcasting industry backgrounds tended to vote more favorably for broadcasting interests, though other factors like political party were also influential. The 1986 Cohen study expanded on this work with a larger dataset and found support for effects from both the "entrance" and "exit" sides of the revolving door. The current study aims to build on this literature by examining revolving door connections held by lobbyists across different sectors.
2012 C A S H Case - Presidential ElectionTyrone Scott
This document provides an overview of the major issues in the 2012 U.S. presidential election between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. It focuses on the economy, healthcare, debt and spending, taxes, and other domestic and foreign policy issues. The economy, and particularly unemployment, will likely be the dominant issue due to the slow recovery from the financial crisis. President Obama will be judged on his handling of the economy while Governor Romney argues his policies have failed. Other major issues include the Affordable Care Act, government spending and debt, and differing approaches to taxes and immigration between the candidates.
This document summarizes research on population growth and differences in voting behavior between Republican and Democratic legislators within U.S. state legislative districts. The researchers found that districts experiencing greater population growth between 2000-2010 were more likely to see greater differences in how Republican vs. Democratic legislators voted, compared to the average partisanship of the district. Specifically, their statistical model found a small but significant relationship between population growth percentage and the size of this partisan voting difference, known as "intra-district deviation." They conclude that fast-growing districts have constituencies that are more fluid and permit greater divergence between a legislator's votes and the average views of their district.
Global insights audio-slides-07-27-11-modifiedtyandros
The document discusses the rapid expansion of laws and regulations in the US, arguing that this undermines the rule of law and free market capitalism. It notes that regulations have increased from a few dozen criminal statutes to over 4,500 federal crimes today. Many laws lack requirements to prove criminal intent. The Dodd-Frank and Affordable Care Act laws are criticized as being overly long and complex, influenced by lobbyists, and not read or understood by lawmakers. The conclusion is that this overregulation kills incentives for businesses to invest and will lead to depression.
General Election Briefing 2015 by FTI ConsultingJohn Gusman
This document provides an overview and analysis of the political landscape ahead of the 2015 UK general election. It discusses that the election is highly unpredictable and may result in a hung parliament. The Conservatives and Labour are neck and neck in polls, but Labour has an advantage due to boundary issues. The rise of UKIP and decline of the Liberal Democrats splits the right and left votes respectively. Whoever wins will still face significant challenges around issues like the economy, EU relations, and devolution in Scotland. Another coalition government is a real possibility.
This document discusses how a Trump presidency may impact Dodd-Frank, the CFPB, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Experts believe Dodd-Frank likely won't be fully repealed due to parts being integrated into the financial system, but targeted changes could replace the CFPB director and weaken its enforcement powers. GSE reform proposals have stalled in Congress due to Republican philosophical divisions. Trump may kick reforms down the road or back recapitalizing and releasing Fannie and Freddie from government control.
Voters Want Marijuana Legalization Now More Than a $15 Minimum WageEvergreen Buzz
Would you like legal weed or $15 an hour minimum wage, read this https://cannabis.net/blog/news/people-now-want-marijuana-legalization-more-than-a-15-minimum-wage-what-will-biden-do-now
Booklet highlighting the key messages from the OECD publication "Lobbyists, G...OECD Governance
Booklet highlighting the key messages from the OECD publication Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 3. More information can be found at www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/lobbyists-governments-and-public-trust-volume-3-9789264214224-en.htm
The document provides updates on state and local policy and politics issues. Key points include:
- A study found the Senate tax plan would increase GDP, wages, and jobs over the long term. Vice President Pence promoted tax reform to governors. The plan puts some vulnerable House Republicans in a difficult position.
- Changes to state and local tax deductions in the tax plans could impact budgets in high-tax states like New York and California. Some states are looking to weigh in on reforms to state and local tax deductions.
- Other topics covered include infrastructure provisions in the tax bills, rising state spending, medical marijuana policies, trade deals like NAFTA and TPP, and climate accord commitments despite the US withdrawal from the Paris
- Privacy issues will continue to be a major concern for Congress and the upcoming elections, fueled by increased computer and internet usage. While industry self-regulation was previously preferred, there is now support for more aggressive privacy regulation, especially around financial and medical information.
- The FTC now supports new regulatory powers over companies collecting personal data online, while the Administration focuses on financial and medical privacy. Congress remains reluctant to pass comprehensive privacy laws.
- Several bills have been introduced to address privacy, including establishing a commission to study existing laws and make recommendations, and strengthening protections for financial and medical privacy data. However, opponents argue these approaches could delay needed legislation.
- Privacy issues will continue to be a major concern for Congress and the upcoming elections in the fall. Both the widespread use of computers and the internet have fueled these privacy concerns.
- While Congress is unlikely to pass comprehensive privacy legislation this year, some lawmakers may try to attach privacy provisions to other bills moving through Congress.
- The Federal Trade Commission now supports new regulations for companies collecting personal data online, reversing its previous support for industry self-regulation. However, the Administration and Congress have been reluctant to embrace comprehensive privacy legislation.
The US government has shutdown due to Congress failing to agree on a budget by the September 30th deadline. This has resulted in nearly 1 million government employees and contractors being furloughed without pay. The main issue causing the shutdown is disagreement over the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) between Republicans, who want to defund it, and Democrats, who want to allow it to continue as is for now. If a resolution is not reached soon, Republicans may use an upcoming vote on raising the debt ceiling as another opportunity to oppose Obamacare.
The House will meet this week to consider several bills under suspension of the rules, including ones relating to flood insurance, the FHA, and permitting candidates to designate funds disbursers after death. The Senate will consider the nomination of Stephanie Rose to be a circuit court judge. Congress has agreed to a 6-month continuing resolution to fund the government through March 2013 at current spending levels to avoid a pre-election fiscal showdown. The Obama administration is expected to issue an executive order on cybersecurity given Congress's failure to pass legislation on the issue.
This document summarizes a presentation given in Lincoln, MA in support of a warrant article proposing that the town support amending the US Constitution in response to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. The presentation discusses how Citizens United has allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections and argues that corporations should not have the same constitutional rights as people, as they are artificial entities focused on profit above all else. It provides several examples of how corporate interests have influenced policymaking and overridden regulations. The presenter urges voting for the resolution to amend the Constitution and restore balance.
Protiviti Flash report details key developments from the first 100 days of the Trump administration, from a business perspective. For more information, go to http://ow.ly/NDPm30bjnfB
The Senate will convene on January 28 at 2:00 p.m. to begin consideration of the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. The House will meet in a pro forma session on January 29 at 1:00 p.m. The document also provides updates on legislative activities related to the farm bill, SNAP funding, immigration reform, and commodity futures trading, as well as an upcoming hearing on reauthorizing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It includes contact information for questions.
Fixing A Broken Congress PanelPicker ProposalMichaelSteel23
The vast majority of Americans are frustrated with the constant partisan gridlock in Congress. Fewer and fewer laws are being passed and the threat of a government shutdown is always present. What needs to be reformed on Capitol Hill so our legislators can start legislating again? This panel will propose cultural and procedural ideas from four former Hill staffers from both sides of the aisle for how we can help Congress get back to work for the American people.
This proposal is for SXSW PanelPicker 2019
242018 NSA Reform and the Patriot Act in Congress - The Atla.docxtamicawaysmith
2/4/2018 NSA Reform and the Patriot Act in Congress - The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/a-long-awaited-reform-to-the-usa-patriot-act/393197/ 1/5
Subscribe to The Atlantic’s Politics & Policy Daily, a roundup of ideas and events in American
politics.
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Fourteen years after the Patriot Act gave sweeping spy powers to the government in
its war against terrorism, a consensus is finally emerging in Congress that the
government needs to be reined in—at least a bit. The next two weeks could
determine whether that consensus will yield a new law.
A Long-Awaited Reform to the Patriot Act
A bipartisan bill passed by the House on Wednesday would end the NSA’s bulk-
data-collection program.
RUSSELL BERMAN
MAY 14, 2015 | POLITICS
Pawel Kopczynski / Reuters
http://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/politics-daily/
https://www.theatlantic.com/author/russell-berman/
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/
2/4/2018 NSA Reform and the Patriot Act in Congress - The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/a-long-awaited-reform-to-the-usa-patriot-act/393197/ 2/5
In a bipartisan vote of 338-88, the House on Wednesday afternoon passed the USA
Freedom Act, which seeks to restrain the nation’s surveillance state while extending
other key parts of the 2001 Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of the
month. At its core, the House measure ends the NSA’s bulk collection program first
exposed two years ago by Edward Snowden, and requires the government to be
more transparent about the data it seeks from citizens. The vote comes just a week
after a federal appeals court ruled that the Patriot Act’s controversial Section 215
did not authorize the bulk collection program, which allowed the NSA to access
domestic telephone metadata. The ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
didn’t end the program, which the Freedom Act would.
The House measure represented a rare and genuine bipartisan compromise,
drawing support from the original author of the Patriot Act, conservative
Representative James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, along with liberal Democrats
like John Conyers of Michigan and Jerrold Nadler of New York, staunch civil
libertarians. The White House has said that President Obama would sign it. Yet it
faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
wants to extend the entire Patriot Act, untouched, for another five years.
Democrats have vowed to block that effort and are hoping that the strong House
vote and the chance that the surveillance programs could expire altogether on June
1 will force McConnell to accept the reform bill. A short-term extension, giving the
Senate more time to debate, is also possible. (The Senate has a recess scheduled
after next week.)
“Today, we have a rare opportunity to restore a measure of
restraint to surveillance programs that have simply gone
too far.”
The bill’s supporters say it’s the most far-reac ...
The document discusses the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and analyzes both its achievements and challenges. It notes that while the law expanded coverage to millions, the final version passed was reduced in scope from initial plans. Additionally, Republicans strongly oppose the law and have launched legal challenges against it. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on these challenges next week in a key case that could impact the presidential election. For Latinos who have high uninsured rates, parts of the law already in place provide important new protections.
The document summarizes the results of the 2010 midterm elections. Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives by picking up over 60 seats. They also gained seats in the Senate and governorships. The elections were seen as a referendum on the policies of President Obama and Democratic leadership. Going forward, divided government will likely lead to gridlock on major issues and more incremental policy changes. Republicans will focus on reducing spending and repealing parts of healthcare reform in the new Congress. Many issues were left unfinished in the last session and will carry over into next year.
The summary provides the following key points in 3 sentences:
The House will consider several bills under suspension of the rules on Monday and Tuesday, including bills related to natural gas pipelines in national parks and the redesignation of federal aeronautical facilities. The Senate will consider an emergency supplemental appropriations bill on Monday to provide $60.4 billion in disaster aid. The House schedule for the rest of the week includes consideration of various bills related to small businesses, Medicare, defense authorization, and intercountry adoptions.
Speech to Lincoln MA Town Meeting March 24, 2012 in support of constitutional amendment to eliminate the right of corporations to the rights in the Constitution that belong to "the people."
The document argues that Congress should vote down the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement for three key reasons:
1. The TPP's intellectual property regulations would transform copyright laws in overbearing ways that criminalize ordinary digital and internet activities and jeopardize online privacy.
2. The TPP's labor standards would only marginally benefit American workers.
3. The TPP's environmental standards are poor and inadequate.
The document contends that these aspects of the TPP should make Congress hesitate to pass the agreement.
The document discusses healthcare issues facing Congress in the lame duck session and priorities for 2017. In the lame duck session, Congress needs to pass appropriations bills by December 9th and will likely hold hearings on prescription drug prices and ACA insurance issues but take no real action. For 2017, repealing and replacing the ACA will be a top priority, with the House potentially passing a full repeal and the Senate pursuing replacement options using reconciliation. Key replacement concepts include expanding HSAs and allowing interstate insurance sales.
The document summarizes recent developments in US healthcare policy. It discusses the confirmation of Tom Price as HHS Secretary, the blocking of the Anthem-Cigna merger by a federal court, and potential near-term reforms to the ACA to stabilize insurance exchanges by tightening rules around pricing, grace periods, enrollment periods, and eligibility verification. The potential reforms aim to address insurer complaints about excessive permissiveness in the current system. The document concludes by noting the complexity of healthcare issues and hope that leaders can find new solutions to ongoing problems of cost and access.
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and the Presidency, it is reasonable to expect that traditional Republican policy priorities will be enacted. One prominent priority is comprehensive tax reform that significantly lowers the corporate tax rate.
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The Brunswick Group conducted an online survey among buy-side investors and sell-side analysts to understand how investors use digital media platforms to research and make an investment decision.
Digital media in this report is defined as social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as online tools such as search engines.
Brunswick surveyed 150 investor and analysts across North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia between November and December of 2017. Tracking data from previous waves in 2016 and 2015 is included for comparison.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia appointed his 31-year-old son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as Crown Prince, breaking with succession norms. This consolidates Prince Mohammed's power over the kingdom's economic reforms and more assertive foreign policy. As defense minister and head of the Public Investment Fund, he is pushing to diversify the economy away from oil and modernize Saudi society. His rapid rise centralizes decision-making and ensures his vision of Saudi Arabia's future will define policies for decades.
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The document discusses the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project which will require multinational corporations to disclose tax and financial information on a country-by-country basis. This will increase reputational risk for companies by exposing tax structures and potentially showing some pay little tax relative to their operations. The document advises companies to prepare for these disclosures by assessing risks, engaging stakeholders, gaining executive support, and developing effective messaging to explain their tax practices. Brunswick Group offers services to help companies mitigate risks and protect their reputations surrounding the BEPS tax transparency changes.
The document discusses the changing political environment in Europe regarding foreign investment, particularly from China. Recent actions from the European Commission and some EU member states indicate a desire for stronger policies to review foreign takeovers in strategic industries. While foreign investment is generally welcomed, there are increasing concerns about state-backed Chinese acquisitions and technology transfers. The European Commission may propose rules allowing member states to block foreign investments deemed politically motivated, focusing on key sectors like transportation and technology, but implementing any EU-wide laws will be difficult due to differing national interests.
Brunswick ISMEA Quarterly Newsletter - May 2017 Brunswick Group
The document discusses various topics related to financial technology (FinTech) across different regions including India, Singapore, and the Middle East. In India, the transition towards a less cash economy has opened opportunities for FinTech companies and startups, while also necessitating greater collaboration between new and traditional financial players. RegTech is emerging in Singapore to help automate regulatory compliance. In the Middle East, financial centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are establishing FinTech hubs and accelerators to attract startups and develop links to other regions like Asia.
Brunswick Group - ISMEA Newsletter - May 2017Brunswick Group
The document discusses various topics related to financial technology (FinTech) across different regions including India, Singapore, and the Middle East. In India, the transition towards a less cash economy has opened opportunities for FinTech companies and startups, while also necessitating greater collaboration between new and traditional financial players. RegTech is emerging as an important new category focusing on technology solutions for regulatory compliance. In the Middle East, financial centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are establishing FinTech hubs and accelerators to attract startups and position themselves as leaders in the industry.
Brunswick Group, an advisory firm, is expanding its operations in Germany by opening an office for its creative agency MerchantCantos in Berlin. MerchantCantos will advise Brunswick's clients in Germany on issues like digitization, branding, and sustainability. The new Berlin office was opened to better serve MerchantCantos' growing client base in Germany by being closer to clients and able to offer integrated advisory and creative solutions. The office opening supports Brunswick's broader advisory capabilities and digital offerings for its clients.
This document summarizes the findings of a study on students' perceptions of the mining industry in the UK and South Africa. The key findings were:
1) Students have a negative perception of mining as dangerous, exploitative and stagnant. They are unaware of the range of professional careers available beyond manual labor jobs.
2) When presented with information about the variety of roles in mining, students' views shifted positively as they were surprised by the opportunities.
3) Mining companies need to better communicate and engage with students early in their careers to attract talent and shift perceptions by highlighting innovation, careers and contributions to society.
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The fifth and final session of the 12th National People’s Congress concluded with no significant change in policy direction. While there were few surprises in this year’s gathering, the meetings gave a fresh view on the priorities of the administration and the implications for those operating in China.
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Brunswick Paris office: www.brunswickgroup.com/contact-us/paris/
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Big Business, Big Issues: The Winners and Losers from the U.S. Midterm Elections
1. Brunswick Group
2014
Big Business, Big Issues:
The Winners and Losers from the U.S. Midterm Elections
The U.S. midterm elections have dealt a new setback to President Obama. As was widely expected, voters have given Republicans control of both chambers of Congress, weakening the president’s already diminished influence in his last two years in office. But there’s another set of winners and losers in this this election: the sectors, issues and interest groups that have a stake in the outcome. The Brunswick Group’s breakdown of the winners and losers in this year’s elections:
Winners
Companies that “invert”
U.S. companies that plan to shift their tax headquarters abroad can breathe a little easier. Democrats – who have used the Senate’s major tax-writing and investigative committees to investigate and condemn such deals – will only have a few more weeks to press their proposals before surrendering control to the Republicans.
Free trade
Having long argued that free trade deals cost U.S. jobs by shifting work overseas, organized labor will have less sway with a Republican Congress while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s influence will rise. This will enhance President Obama’s ability to negotiate trade deals with other countries and may help get the Trans-Pacific Partnership across the finish line.
Fossil-fuel companies
Coal, oil and natural gas producers will gain a major ally when Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) becomes chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works. Inhofe, whose state is home to Anadarko, Devon Energy and other leading oil and gas producers, opposes regulation of greenhouse gases and has questioned the science linking human activity to climate change. $3.67 Billion Analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics suggests this is the most expensive midterm election ever.
Big banks
Banks unhappy with Dodd-Frank regulation will get a more sympathetic ear from Republicans, who say the law’s mandates are overly burdensome.
Medical device makers
The medical device industry may get its wish with repeal of the Medical Device Tax under a Republican Congress. Opponents say the tax has stifled innovation and moved jobs overseas. Repeal would be a clear win not just for established device companies, but also for Silicon Valley venture capital firms and medical device start-ups struggling to achieve profitability. Fun Fact The 'Six-Year Itch' Since the Great Depression, each president elected to a second term, with the exception of President Clinton, has presided over his party losing seats in both the House and Senate during that term.
2. 2
Paul Singer
The hedge fund billionaire, a critic of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to stimulate the economy, was one of the single biggest donors in the election, steering more than $7 million to successful Republican candidates such as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Arkansas Sen.-elect Tom Cotton.
TransCanada
The developer of the proposed Keystone oil pipeline, which would carry crude oil from Alberta to Gulf Coast refineries, now has greater leverage on Capitol Hill; Republicans have vowed to ratchet up pressure on the Obama Administration to approve the pipeline.
Internet service providers
This year’s debate over net neutrality put Internet service providers (ISPs) on the defensive. While the Federal Communications Commission has yet to complete its action on net neutrality, many Republicans oppose further regulation of ISPs. A Republican Congress should provide some political protection from additional regulatory scrutiny of this sector.
Losers
Obama’s nominees
The U.S. Constitution gives the Senate, but not the House, power to approve presidential appointments. With the Senate under Republican control, the president will have a harder time filling federal judgeships and high-level executive branch jobs.
Thomas Steyer
The California hedge-fund billionaire and environmentalist spent more than $50 million to elevate climate change as an election issue and to defeat Republican candidates skeptical about global warming. But several of Steyer’s targets, such as Sen.-elect Cory Gardner of Colorado, won. And even some Steyer-backed Democrats – such as Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Wolf – made clear they don’t share his opposition to the Keystone pipeline and hydraulic fracturing.
Trial lawyers
Earlier this year, trial lawyers helped fend off patent litigation reform, fearing that any move in that direction could open the door to broader tort reform. The prospect of tort reform under a Republican Senate, including limits on jury settlements and attorney’s fees, is a blow to the American Association for Justice and the nation’s trial lawyers.
Privacy
The defeat of Sen. Mark Udall (D.-CO) means tech companies like Apple, Microsoft and Google will have to find a new ally on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which oversees U.S. spy agencies. A vocal opponent of many of the surveillance programs revealed by Edward Snowden, Udall had pushed legislation to stop the government's bulk collection of phone metadata.
The Export-Import Bank
The U.S. export credit agency now faces a tougher fight for survival. The new likely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) has voiced opposition to extending the bank’s charter. That’s bad for Boeing, General Electric, Caterpillar and other companies whose customers rely on Ex-Im financing to buy their products.
Renewable energy companies
In Arizona, two candidates seen as friendly to the rooftop solar industry lost their races for seats on the state’s powerful Corporation Commission, which regulates the power industry. In Ohio, voters also re-elected Governor John Kasich, who has slowed the state’s phasing-in of renewable energy mandates.
3. 3
It’s A Draw
Tech
For an industry heavily invested in the outcome of this election, the results are mixed. On the one hand, Tech may finally see some movement on its premiere immigration issue – reform of the H1B visa process for highly skilled workers. On the other hand, supposedly bipartisan issues like patent litigation reform, cybersecurity reform and data encryption standards struggled this Congress. Whether a Republican majority can make a difference on these issues remains to be seen.
Did you know? Google outspent Goldman Sachs on political campaign contributions this election cycle
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Despite fervent pledges by GOP candidates, including likely Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell, a Republican- controlled Senate cannot repeal Obamacare. In fact, while Republican candidates pledged to repeal Obamacare few offered an alternative. However, with their new Senate majority, Republicans may attempt to chip away at the president’s signature healthcare law. Early targets will likely include the medical device tax, the 30-hour work week to qualify for coverage, and other vulnerable pieces of the Affordable Care Act, such as the device tax.
U.S. Spy Agencies
The defeat of Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado, who has been a vocal critic of the government’s bulk collection of phone metadata, is sure to relieve some of the pressure on U.S. spy agencies. It remains to be seen whether a Republican Senate will finally enact surveillance reform, such as Sen. Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) U.S.A. Freedom Act.
Tax Reform
The future for comprehensive tax reform is murky, with many pundits predicting Congress will fail to make the difficult choices (and compromises) necessary for meaningful reform.
Education
Education issues continue to divide the electorate in unique ways – both parties are critical of key initiatives such as the Common Core standards and high stakes testing. Republican gains may have an outsized impact on state and federal education policy, particularly in Colorado, Florida, Michigan and Texas. On the flip side, teachers unions played a critical role supporting education reform through big-money state ballot measures across the country and the Pennsylvania Governor’s race. Republican control in Congress and a re-energized union base sets up a dynamic in which opposing sides will each claim a mandate to dictate education spend heading into 2015.
What’s Next
The election may be over, but the legislative fights have just begun. As Congress gears up for a final lame duck session, House Republicans are already signalling they do not expect to be in town for long. With the clock ticking on the final hours of the 113th Congress, here are five debates likely to dominate the coming months:
Which corporate tax breaks will survive the chopping block?
Nearly 60 expired tax incentives – worth billions of dollars to corporate America – await action by Congress. Proponents argue they spur investment; opponents say they are a drain on the Treasury. Closely watched is the Production Tax Credit, or PTC, which companies such as Siemens rely on when investing in renewable energy projects like wind. Expect a fight in the Senate over whether these credits should be made permanent or just temporarily reauthorized for another two years.
Free trade deal finally in reach?
With President Obama pushing to wrap-up Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, free trade advocates first want action on reauthorization of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Largely seen by advocates as critical to a president’s negotiating authority, TPA is a fast-track mechanism for trade agreements, with Congress voting only to approve or reject an agreement without amendment. Under pressure from labor, Majority Leader Reid has not yet brought TPA to the Senate floor. Will the prospect of a Republican majority Congress finally stir the Senate to action?
Return of the fiscal cliff?
The short-term spending bill that prevented the federal government from shutting down in September expires on December 11, 2014. With House Republican leaders leery of repeating last year’s government shutdown, which cost billions in lost economic
4. 4
output and reverberated on Wall Street, Congress once again faces a fiscal cliff. Will Congress agree to another short-term spending bill that funds the government into 2015, or will both sides come together to agree on a longer-term funding solution through the remainder of this fiscal year?
Who will lead the Justice Department?
One of President Obama’s biggest immediate priorities is appointing a successor to Attorney General Eric Holder. A leading candidate for the job is Tom Perez, the current labor secretary, who is popular with labor unions and civil-rights groups. But Republicans oppose Perez over his positions on immigration and housing policy, and he was only narrowly confirmed to his current post last year.
Terrorism Risk Insurance at risk?
Widely seen by business as essential for market certainty, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act provides a government backstop for businesses against certain financial losses in the event of a terrorist act against the United States. Signed into law after 9/11, the legislation is set to expire at the end of this year. House Republicans continue to debate the degree to which the government should be on the hook for private market losses. Can House Republicans and Senate Democrats overcome their disagreements on extending TRIA to get the bill over the finish line? Watch to see whether big business can successfully pressure Republican leadership to reach a compromise with Democrats. The Top 10 Most Expensive Senate Races What are the midterms? Midterm elections refer to the U.S. general elections held two years after the four-year presidential election. Voters head to the polls to choose members of the Senate, as well as governors and officials at the state and local levels. In addition, all of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs. How are elections financed? Political contributions are considered protected speech under the U.S. Constitution. Candidates raise campaign funds from a variety of private sources, including individual donors, political parties, political action committees, registered political organizations and even corporations. Donor Total
NORTH CAROLINA – Tillis (R) v. Hagan (D) $113M COLORADO – Gardner (R) v. Udall (D) $94M IOWA – Ernst (R) v. Braley (D) $82M KENTUCKY – McConnell (R) v. Grimes (D) $78M GEORGIA – Perdue (R) v. Nunn (D) $65M ARKANSAS – Cotton (R) v. Pryor (D) $58M ALASKA – Sullivan (R) v. Begich (D) $58M NEW HAMPSHIRE – Brown (R) v. Shaheen (D) $47M MICHIGAN – Land (R) v. Peters (D) $47M LOUISIANA – Cassidy (R) v. Landrieu (D) $42M Source: OpenSecrets.org / Center for Responsive Politics
Looking Ahead to the 2016 Presidential Election
The Republicans may have scored a victory in the mid-term election, but that doesn’t mean they are favored in 2016. Many of the U.S. Senate seats up for re-election this year happened to be in traditionally conservative states. The opposite will be true in 2016, with Republicans defending a number of potentially competitive seats. With a sitting president’s party historically losing seats during the sixth year of a two-term presidency, it would be a mistake to read this election as a harbinger of the 2016 presidential race. ”It's not as though people have all a sudden fallen in love with Republicans,'' Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the second- ranking Senate Republican, told the New York Times. ''It's just a loss of confidence in the [Obama] administration. It's national security, personal security and job security. People are on edge. And that's not good if you're the party in power.''