b'T H E V I E W F R O M W A S H I N G T O N C O N T I N U E DFigure 3 Legislative Priorities During President BidensFirst 100 Days. The Impact of a 50/50 Senate While Figure 4 outlines some of the potential legislative priorities that may emerge during President Bidens first 100 117 thSenate Partisan Makeupdays, the initial legislative test for the new administration and the 117th Congress will come on a proposed $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill. Details of that stimulus plan include sig-nificant new spending for state and local governments; funding for vaccine distribution, schools, and hospitals; and additional 100 household relief checks, low-income tax cuts, and extended 00 unemployment insurance. Despite the polarizing politics of SeatsCapitol Hill and around the country, prominent lobbyists are 50 Democrats*50 Republicansbullish about the parties finding consensus on Covid stimulus, 51 votes needed for majorityand if not, other analysts see a final bill passing through the Vice President Harris (D) will break tie votesreconciliation process by early March. Another round of defi-117 thSenate Leaders cit-financed recovery spending is likely to come later in the year and be focused on green energy and infrastructure. With Democrats holding both chambers, they will also have other legislative tools at their disposal, including the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows lawmakers to roll back re-cently issued regulations. Many of the Trump administrations late environmental rules will face the CRA chopping block.Majority Leader Minority Leader Roadblocks to Democrats Policy Priorities. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Mitch McConnell (D-KY) While President Biden and Democratic leaders will need to navigate their ambitious legislative agenda with razor-thin Previous 50/50 Splits in Senate History majorities, there are a number of obstacles standing between A 50/50 split has only happened three times: 1881, 1953, and 2001. The last split ended in May 2001 when Sen. Jim Jeffords (VT) switched parties to caucus with the Democrats, giving them anFigure 4outright majority.In 2001, during the short period in which the Senate was split, Potential Democratic Legislative Priorities for the First 100 Daysleaders negotiated a power-sharing agreement. Climate Change/InfrastructureUnder the 2001 agreement, Republicans held committee chairs, Pass H.R. 2, which increases investment in green infrastructure through the but committee composition and resources were split evenly. FAST Act.When committee votes tied, Republicans could still bring bills or Additional climate legislation would aim for emissions-free energy by 2035 nominations to the full Senate for consideration. and net-zero emissions by 2050, focusing on environmental justice. Impacts on the 117 thSenate Political/Government Reform President Biden will now be able to confirm executive nominations.Pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act.Democrats are unlikely to be able to revoke the filibuster.The bill would establish a national voter registration program, establishPolicy pathways Democrats can use with a simple majority:nonpartisan commissions to redraw congressional maps, and create a Congressional Review Act to overturn late Trump-era regulations.public financing system for federal campaigns, among other provisions. Budget reconciliation, which is limited in scope.Senators at the edge of their caucuses will hold outsized influence:Tax ReformSinema (D-AZ), Manchin (D-WV), Murkowski (R-AK),Increase corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%.Collins (R-ME), and Romney (R-UT).Create manufacturing repatriation tax incentives. Increase top-bracket income tax rate.Sources: The Cook Political Report, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic,The Washington Post20 visions Winter 2021'