2020 Election Update:
State Election Update:
After the elections on Nov. 5, all focus turned to the Louisiana governor’s race, as Louisiana was the final governorship on the ballot in these off-year campaigns. Incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) faced businessman and ABC member Eddie Rispone (R) in the highly contested governor’s race. After a hard-fought campaign, Gov. Edwards was declared the winner after receiving 774,469 votes. The race was extremely close heading into Election Day. Polling showed that the two candidates were neck-in-neck across the board. The election came down to voter turnout with Edwards receiving 51.3% of the vote and Rispone receiving 48.7%.
Immigration:
Last week at the ABC Leadership Institute there was much discussion on Workforce and Immigration. For your reference, the ABC Priority Issue Brief on Immigration Reform can be found on the ABC website here. In addition, below are recent Newsline stories pertaining to Immigration reform:
USMCA:
Last week, ABC sent a letter to members of the U.S. House and Senate in support of the USMCA. The letter highlights ABC’s position on the trade deal, which has been the White House’s priority legislation this session. The trade deal is estimated to add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create approximately 176,000 new jobs. ABC believes the USMCA will help to ensure certainty in the supply chain and reduce volatility in pricing for building materials from Mexico and Canada to further lift the economy, support more projects and help address the much-needed modernization of our nation’s infrastructure.
PRO ACT SIGN ON OPPORTUNITY:
Immigration Update:
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case challenging President Donald Trump's 2017 decision to end President Obama’ s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, which granted qualified immigrants temporary residency and work privileges for more than 700,000 young undocumented immigrants. Approximately 84,000 DACA recipients work in the construction industry. A court opinion is expected in July.
King Retirement:
Republican Congressman from New York Pete King announced his decision to not seek reelection, leaving the open seat as likely competitive for Democrats in 2020. King has been the dean of the NY GOP delegation, serving in the House for 14 terms. King is the 19th Republican to announce retirement before the 2020 elections.
Appropriations Update:
With only 10 days left before a government shutdown, Congressional leaders and the White House agree they will need another three or four weeks to conclude negotiations on 12 annual spending bills and are likely to pass a stopgap funding bill that would last until Dec. 13 or Dec. 20. The House has passed 10 of the 12 annual spending bills that fund the federal government, while the Senate has passed only four, and the two chambers have not resolved differences over the defense and non-defense discretionary funding and funding for the president’s border wall.
ABC will be sending a support letter to members of the U.S. House and Senate in support of the USMCA tomorrow morning. The trade deal is estimated to add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create approximately 176,000 new jobs. ABC believes the USMCA will help to ensure certainty in the supply chain and reduce volatility in pricing for building materials from Mexico and Canada to further lift the economy, support more projects and help address the much-needed modernization of our nation’s infrastructure
In comments to reporters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that “We’re on a path to yes, and I think every day brings us closer to an agreement,” but gave no certain timeline for a vote in the House. Trump administration officials have become increasingly concerned that time is running out for a vote on the agreement this year and that it won’t be possible to consider during the election year in 2020
Impeachment Update: