December 16, 2020
The legislative year is days away from wrapping up. Erik Paulsen and I summarize the three things that must get completed – the omnibus spending bill, COVID relief, and the National Defense Authorization Act – and take a look forward to the U.S. Senate in 2021 in “Heard on the Hill.” Patrick Robertson takes a last look back at the November elections, and Steve Ruhlen takes a first look forward at the 2022 midterm elections. Al Jackson gives us a defense update, and Ramona Lessen shares a hearing report, covering a recent Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee hearing on COVID’s impact on the live event entertainment industry. Our Total Spectrum Spotlight features Erik Paulsen and Patrick Robertson discussing the anticipated focus of the Biden Administration in the first 90 to 100 days.
This is our last This Week for 2020, and it was a year like no other. The driving themes were a 100-year pandemic, economic dislocation and distress, and racial unrest. Each theme impacted November’s elections, which will conclude in Georgia on January 5th. We began the year with the first signs of a novel coronavirus. We are closing the year with the arrival of vaccines that will slowly get us back to a new normal.
Next year will bring a new President, a new Congress, and a new Administration. We will be here to watch, listen, and keep you informed.
On behalf of my colleagues – Erik Paulsen, Michael DiMaria, Patrick Robertson, Steve Ruhlen, Al Jackson Dana Marston, and Ramona Lessen – Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all good wishes for a healthy and successful new year.