Congress is off to a tumultuous start, grappling with controversial procedural issues as well as an economy in crisis. Typically, a new Congress spends much of its first month in organizational and pro forma sessions. The new 111th Congress is diving right into substantive and controversial legislative deliberations. Advocates of any brownfields agenda will have to work hard to get their issues and proposals to the Congressional front burner, although brownfields stand to gain from larger initiatives that Congress will consider, and the incoming Obama Administration will implement during early 2009.

The Senate is dealing with membership issues surrounding the seating of Senators-in-waiting Al Franken (D-MN) and Roland Burris (D-IL)—critical considerations, given that their Democratic votes may be needed to ensure timely passage of a stimulus package. The Senate is also beginning confirmation hearings on the entire Obama cabinet, including the EPA Administrator and the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Treasury. The speed with which these officials can formally take office will influence the pace of activity within those agencies. ...

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