American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2022 - 27

Election Day Passes
Without Offering Clarity
On Federal Outlook
Even weeks after Nov. 8, uncertainty continues to reign regarding
the results of the 2022 congressional elections and the
impact they will have on U.S. oil and natural gas producers.
The " Republican Red Wave " that many pundits predicted did
not materialize, as GOP candidates underperformed in a number
of House and Senate races. Although Republicans gained a
narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, their
efforts to win control of the U.S. Senate fell short.
With Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's, D-Nv., victory over
Republican challenger Adam Laxalt, the Democrats are guaranteed
to retain the majority in the Senate for the next two years. The
race for the Georgia senate seat between incumbent Senator
Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Republican challenger Herschel
Walker was scheduled for a run-off election on Dec. 6, which
lands after press time.
Even with the Senate majority no longer in question, a
Warnock victory would provide Democrats a 51-49 advantage.
That would threaten to marginalize moderate Democrats such
as senators Joe Manchin, D-W.V., and Kirsten Sinema, D-Az.,
since their votes would no longer be a linchpin for confirmation
of executive branch and judicial nominees and passage of
certain pieces of legislation. A scenario in which Democrats
hold 50 Senate seats (with Vice President Kamala Harris as the
tie-breaker vote), provides senators Manchin, Sinema and Jon
Tester, D-Mt., significant influence, because their support will
be necessary for Democrats to move their priority legislation.
During the 117th Congress, those senators, especially Manchin,
have had leverage to negotiate compromise deals that have incorporated
their own priorities into legislation. However, it
seems likely that gaining a 51st seat will require Democrats to
make fewer compromises of that sort.
Congress has begun a lame-duck session to complete a
massive spending bill, the National Defense Authorization Act
and other pending issues that must be completed by the end of
this year. In addition to watching the Georgia run-off, the Independent
Petroleum Association of America has been spending
the year's remaining weeks monitoring House and Senate party
leadership elections.
In mid-November, the House Republican Caucus nominated
Congressman Kevin McCarthy, R-Ca., to be the next speaker of
the House by a 188-31 vote. This is the first step in the process
for McCarthy to attain the speaker's gavel. He now needs the
support of 218 lawmakers when the entire House of Representatives
votes on the matter in January.
Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was elected to be the
GOP Senate Leader by a vote of 31-10 over Senator Rick Scott,
R-Fl. McConnell's victory ensures that he will become the
longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
announced in mid-November that they would step down from
their leadership posts in the 118th Congress. Democrats were
scheduled to select their House and Senate leaders on Nov. 30.
" Even with the Senate majority no longer in
question, a Warnock victory would provide
Democrats a 51-49 advantage. That would
threaten to marginalize moderate Democrats
such as senators Joe Manchin, D-W.V., and
Kirsten Sinema, D-Az., since their votes would no
longer be a linchpin for confirmation of
executive branch and judicial nominees and
passage of certain pieces of legislation.
"
Along with the results of the Dec. 6 run-off, we at IPAA also
have our eyes on Dec. 16, which is the expiration date for the
Fiscal 2023 continuing resolution to fund the federal government.
The 117th U.S. Congress has targeted Dec. 21 for adjournment.
The IPAA team already is engaging with congressional
leaders as they seek to take a proactive approach on energy bills
in the next Congress. One of those pieces of legislation is the
Transparency and Production of American Energy Act (TAP
American Energy Act), originating in the House Natural
Resources Committee and led by Congressman Bruce Westerman,
R-Ar., who is likely to be the committee's next chairman.
We have a golden opportunity to educate incoming members
of the House and Senate regarding the issues important to our
industry. We encourage IPAA member companies to join our
policy committees, which include but are not limited to subjects
such as federal lands, offshore, taxes, and environment and
safety. The full list of IPAA committees is available at
https://www.ipaa.org/committees/.
These committees are a key part of our policy development
process and provide a valuable opportunity for members to
engage with IPAA staff, fellow companies, and provide a united
and informed voice to the legislators and regulators that craft
policy impacting the industry. These committees meet regularly,
and the IPAA government relations team is planning for inperson
and virtual committee meetings with targeted members
of Congress and committee staff. Please join us-we need your
active participation and input!
❒
DAN NAATZ is executive vice
president and chief operating officer
of the Independent Petroleum
Association of America. He
coordinates activities concerning
federal resource issues and manages
political activities. Prior to
joining IPAA, Naatz worked 12
years on Capitol Hill for the late
Senator Craig Thomas, R-Wy., in
various capacities.
DECEMBER 2022 27
American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2022
