Month: May 2018

Our Take

Loyal readers may recognize that the following is looks eerily similar to the “our take” from last year’s Memorial Day week newsletter.  And they would be right.  However, it still seems just as relevant today. 
 
May 29^th, would have been the 101^st birthday of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.   As we think about the true meaning of Memorial Day, we should pause to think about the following – which I am assuming is true, because you know, it’s on the Internet.  According to historian Michael Beschloss, these were to be the final words of a speech that the President was to give in Austin Texas on November 22, 1963

Continue reading “Financial Services Report”

Our Take

There is a question on the top of mind in Washington, well, ok, two.  But beyond the viral determination if you’re Yanny or Laurel, everyone wants to know what is going to happen in November.  Will it be wave?  Or  a trickle?  Will the Dems take control of the House? The Senate? And if so, what does it mean in terms of a governing philosophy and agenda.   So, with the large caveat that we are still a long, long way from the election, and many things could change between now and then, we wanted to share our latest thinking on the topic. 
 
Between last week’s primaries and the primary in Ohio the week before, it seems possible that the Midwest could serve as the dam to stem the Democratic tide in November.   This is based partly on turnout and partly on results.   If true, then it seems likely that any Democratic gains will come from coastal states.  There are still enough seats in play in those states that the House could flip, but any Democratic majority would be narrow at best.   

Continue reading “Financial Services Report”

Looking Ahead

Near Term

• The House and Senate are in session this week.  The House is taking up a series of bills related to law enforcement and is expected to take up the Agriculture Bill (H.R. 2), which includes controversial provisions dealing with food assistance – a/k/a SNAP.
• At the House Financial Services Committee, it looks like a busy week with four different subcommittees holding hearings.
• Over at the House Education and Workforce Committee there will be a hearing on retirement policy, including the RESA bill.   We hope that at least some of the focus will be on the proper pronunciation of the acronym. 
• The Senate will continue its nominations routine with a series of judicial nominations scheduled.
• The Senate Banking Committee will focus on nominations of its own, with a vote on pending nominations, and a hearing on the President’s nominees to serve on the Federal Reserve Board. 
• According to Speaker Paul Ryan, Thursday is the deadline for the Administration to announce to Congress that it has reached a new NAFTA deal if it wants the 115^th Congress to be able to vote on that agreement.  

Continue reading “Financial Services Report”