The U.S. House and Senate are in recess until after the November elections. They are scheduled to return on the week of November 15th and then, after adjourning for Thanksgiving week, they will reconvene in the first week of December. According to the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations, in this post-election session, significant legislation will be considered, including:
· The 2011 budget, possibly in the form of an omnibus bill.
· Extension of some or all of the Bush tax cuts.
· Extension of expiring tax deductions, including the deduction for state and local sales taxes, and the R&D tax credit.
· Action on the unemployment insurance extension (the current extension runs through November 30).
· Legislation addressing food safety and incentive for alternative fuel vehicles.
· A defense authorization bill.
· An extension of the “Doc Fix” for Medicare reimbursement (the current extension runs through November 30).