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Election Review— 2006 Election
Impact On Construction Industry
On Nov. 7, 2006, the Democrats assumed
control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate
for the first time since 1994. AGC has allies in Congress,
on both sides of the aisle, and there will be newcomers to
Congress in both parties whose backgrounds suggest they understand
the problems facing the construction industry, especially
if they hear from AGC members. AGC is poised to use the 110th
Congress to strengthen bipartisan relationships with new decision-makers
and outline an aggressive agenda for advancing legislative
and regulatory goals.
House Results
After more than 35 "toss-up" races went down to
the wire on Election Day, the Democrats secured a 29-seat
advantage in the House of Representatives, assuming majority
control of that chamber. However, close votes in several districts
have resulted in two run-off elections and nine recounts.
A number of prominent Republican House members lost their
seats, and Democrats were able to make gains in most regions
of the country, particularly the Northeast, in such states
as Connecticut, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
As the Democrats take control of the House, there will be
major changes to both the leadership and committee chairs.
AGC PAC was involved in 206 of the 435 House races. Of those
in which we participated, 83% of the AGC-backed candidates
won election, including victories for AGC-backed candidates
in 9 open seats around the country. However, as of November
28 runoff elections are still pending in two districts and
a hand recount was being conducted in a North Carolina seat.
Senate Results
Thirty-three U.S. Senate seats were contested, with Democrats
holding 18 of those seats and Republicans holding 15. Democrats
gained 6 seats and became the majority party with 51 seats
versus 49 Republican-held seats.
The only win in a toss-up race for Republicans occurred in
Tennessee, where former Chattanooga Mayor and construction
company owner Bob Corker defeated Representative Harold Ford,
Jr. in another of the nation's most closely watched Senate
races.
The next Senate will also include two Independents-Senator
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Senator Elect Bernard Sanders
(I-Vt.)-who could play a pivotal role in legislative decisions
on which the Senate is evenly divided.
AGC PAC was involved in 22 out of the 33 Senate races with
55% of the AGC-backed candidates winning their races.
Impact on Construction
The construction industry can continue to look to AGC to
protect the gains made in tax policy and infrastructure funding
in recent years while working to push comprehensive immigration
reform and WRDA. The shift in power will have an impact on
health-care policy from a market-based approach to more federal
government support.
AGC will monitor plans to increase employer penalties for
violations of worker safety and benefit laws and plans to
boost funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
to increase the number of inspectors. Fundamental tax reform
continues as a top AGC priority, and the association will
continue to urge Congress to eliminate the burden of the alternative
minimum tax.
AGC has established close working relationships with both
Congress and the Bush administration, becoming a trusted partner
on critical industry issues. AGC will use those bipartisan
relationships to advance its members' interests.
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