32 NOVEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director Elephants, Donkeys, and Lame Ducks T he 115th Congress is within a few weeks of completing its work and going out of existence. In early January, the members of the new- ly-elected 116th Congress will take their oaths of office, and another two-year legislative term will begin. When a specific Congress ends, all unfinished legislation “dies;” it does not carry over to the new Congress. A bill not enacted into law must be rein- troduced and undertake its legislative journey all over again. The current 115th Congress returns to Washington just a few days after Election Day for a “lame duck” session. In the few legislative weeks remaining before adjournment occurs, there will be a big scramble to complete as much unfinished business as possible. What makes a lawmaker a “lame duck?” The term refers to an elected official who, for whatever reason (re- tirement, defeat, seeking another office) will not return to his or her current seat in the next Congress. According to Wikipedia, “the phrase ‘lame duck’ was coined in the eighteenth century at the London Stock Exchange, to refer to a stockbroker who defaulted on his debts…It was transferred to politicians in the nineteenth century.” Even before Election Day, it was certain that there would be 53 “lame ducks” in the 435-member House of Representatives, and that number was sure to grow as the result of electoral defeats on November 6. Going into Election Day, only three Senators were “lame ducks.” A “lame duck” Congress can differ substantially from a traditional L E A R N MOR E AT SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/HALO REVOLUTIONARY. See near and far, in an instant, with Halo Pulse Compression Radar. Foghorn Ad 1 | 1/4p | 3.375” x 4.875” www.propspeed.com PROPSPEED® is effective on: Propellers | Rudders | Shafts | Struts | Trim tabs | IPS drives | Thrusters Keel coolers | Underwater lights (clear coat) | Any underwater metal surface PROPSPEED® can be used on boats of all types & sizes Both recreational and commercial, from sport-fishers, cruisers, sailboats and superyachts to work boats like ferries, trawlers, tugboats, research ships and patrol boats. Save on your boat’s running costs Having clean props and running gear lowers maintenance costs, reduces corrosion and decreases fuel burn.