NOVEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN 33 LEGISLATIVEREPORT session. Some of the “lame ducks” may turn into political “wild cards,” as they no longer face immediate political consequences from how they vote. This means that some may cast their votes differently than they otherwise would. Some “lame ducks” may even choose not to come back to Washington for the session, thereby altering the numerical balance between the parties. In the feverish and com- pressed time remaining for legislative achievements, unlikely compromises on pending bills may be struck, and “horse trading” can become common- place. Legislative developments may happen quickly, making it hard for outside observers, lobbyists, and even the average lawmaker to keep up with developments as they occur. It’s a time of both political opportunity and peril. As Aaron Burr sings in the musical Hamilton, if you are not “in the room where it happens,” you may be left out of the decision-making. R e p u b l i c a n L e a d e r M i t c h McConnell of Kentucky will press the Senate to confirm as many nominees to the federal judiciary as possible. Only five of the required thirteen appropria- tions bills have been enacted; therefore, many federal departments have not received funding for the entirely of fiscal 2019, which runs from this past October 1 through next September 30. All other federal agencies (including the U.S. Coast Guard) have assured funding only through December 7, which means that Congress must figure out a way to avoid a partial govern- mental shutdown beyond that date. As part of the funding debate, President Trump will insist that an ample ap- propriation be provided for construc- tion of his desired U.S.-Mexico border wall. Other pending major legislation includes the farm bill, criminal justice reform, renewal of the Violence against Women Act, and additional tax cuts. While final decisions are made about legislation, lawmakers will be at the same time busy organizing them- selves for the new Congress. This process becomes even more frenzied if (as seems possible with the House, but less so with the Senate), party control of the body “flips” from the Republicans to the Democrats. Regardless of which party controls the House, it is assured that there will be a new Republican leader chosen (Speaker Paul Ryan is retiring), and another Democrat may challenge current leader Nancy Pelosi. Lesser leadership positions in both parties may also be subject to churn. LEGISLATIVE REPORT, CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 The Passenger Vessel Association will be engaged in the “lame duck” session. The biennial Coast Guard Authorization Act has been stalled for over a year, but it appears that the obstacles that have held it back all these many months have been resolved. The Senate seems poised to consider it the week of November 12.