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Excerpt from the December 1996 Parkinson's Action Network "Action Reporter", an Advocacy Report for the Parkinson's Community- Election "96: What Did It Mean For Us?" The 1996 elections have come and gone without causing significant changes in the federal political landscape. President Clinton Returns to the White House and the Republican Party has retained control of both houses of Congress. So, what's the same, what's new and how does it affect Parkinson's disease? Here's an analysis: The Senate: In the U.S. Senate, Republicans have increased their Senate majority slightly to 55 seats, with 45 Democratic seats, and will continue to be led by Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS). Some key committee leaders will change due to retirements, including Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR), chairman of the Appropriations committee and author of the Udall Parkinson's Research bill. Also departing is Nancy Kassebaum Chair of the Labor and Human Resources Committee, whose acceptance of the Parkinson's research language and shepherding of the NIH Reauthorization bill was an important part of our success. Other friends of the Parkinson's community to retire include Senators William Cohen (R-ME), Alan Simpson (R-WY)), Paul Simon (D-IL), Bill Bradley (D-NJ) and Claiborne Pell (D-RI). Despite this change, the Senate begins the 105th congress with strong support for Parkinson's research: 55 Members are Udall bill co-sponsors, four of whom are former House co-sponsors newly elected to the Senate. The House: The Republicans hold on to control in the House, although by a slimmer majority over Democrats: 224 - 208, with a few races yet to be decided. Despite a larger number of seats changing hands than in the Senate, there are fewer changes affecting the Parkinson's community's agenda - Republican leaders and committee chairs are likely to remain the same. The House of Representatives will begin 1997 with at least 205 Udall bill co- sponsors. Since it takes 218 votes for a majority in the House, 1997 will begin with a near majority of support. Elections and appointments of Republican Congressional leaders and committee chairs will take place during Republican Caucus meetings in January. Congress' legislative activities will begin about the third week in January. Parkinson's Action Network 800-850-4726 Headquarters: 818 College Ave., Suite C Santa Rosa, CA 95404 phone 707-544-1994 fax 707-544-2363 email: [log in to unmask] Washington, DC office 601 13th St. NW., Suite 310 Washington, DC 20005 phone 202-628-2079 fax 202-628-2077 Brad Udall, Chair Joan I. Samuelson, President John L. Dodge, Treasurer Bonnie K. Mioduchoski, Administrator Michael Claeys, Community Coordinator The Action Reporter is a free publication of the Parkinson's Action Network, a non-profit charitable foundation for a cure for Parkinson's. Use of this material in other publications is welcomed. We ask that the Network be identified as the source of the material, and notified how, when and where the material is used. Simply call 800-850-4726