Trade Groups Not Expecting Much ActionFrom Congress

WASHINGTON - (12/14/05) Though Congress has much on its plate,don't expect to see much of it get done before the year is out,according to both CUNA and NAFCU. The last of the appropriationsbills will take the front burner as they must be finished beforeCongress adjourns for the year, but other bills, includingHurricane Katrina relief, likely will wait for next year, bothtrade groups suggested. "There has been some talk about coming backnext week, but that's usually just an empty threat to get Membersof Congress back on the stick to finish up on things like the taxand budget reconciliation so they don't have to come back nextweek. Everyone wants to get out of here," said CUNA's JohnHildreth, who noted there are no provisions in either of thesebills-both the House and Senate versions-to tax credit unions.While adding any new provisions that haven't been debated ordiscussed before when a bill goes to Conference-where differencesbetween House and Senate versions are ironed out-is extremely rare,it could happen, so CUNA is keeping a close watch on it, hesaid.