"Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward." President Barack Obama remarked during last night's acceptance speech at a victory rally in Chicago. NAPO is a proud supporter of President Obama endorsing him and Vice President Biden in the 2008 and 2012 election cycle. An Presidents reelection is a victory for rank-and-file law enforcement.

President Obama and Vice President Biden have been strong supporters of collective bargaining rights for law enforcement and supported defined benefits pensions; both top priorities for NAPO.  As leaders, they have never wavered in their support for funding programs (COPS Hiring, Byrne JAG and BVP) that support law enforcement and have made officer safety a priority for the Department of Justice. They have hosted NAPO's TOP COPS at the White House all four years they have been in office and Vice President Joe Biden has attended the 2008 and 2012 NAPO Conventions.  

Although the 2012 elections didn't change the overall majority control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, this result was still a favorable outcome for NAPO because Democrats were victorious in maintaining control of the Senate. The Democrats have 53 seats with a net gain of 2 seats. Republicans have 45 seats with a net loss of 2 seats. Currently, the Senate has a total of 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans and 2 Independents.

Please review the list of the Senate races and victors listed below. The highlights represent key races that were considered to go either way:

Senate committee assignments will change in the new Congress. One committee of importance to NAPO is the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is likely to remain in the chairmanship of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). NAPO has developed a strong relationship with his office and this will continue to be beneficial to our lobbying efforts. As committee positions become available NAPO will provide updated information.  

In the House of Representatives, there are 435 seats with 218 needed for majority. The Republicans will continue to be the majority party with 232 seats and a net gain of 0 seats.  The Democrats have 191 seats with a net gain of 5 seats. Please note, at the time of publication not all races have been finalized. Currently there are 241 Republicans and 190 Democrats, with a total of 4 vacancies.

Please review the list of the key House races and victors listed below:

Committees in the House and the Senate have term limits. Seven House panels will have new chairmen in the 113^th Congress, although the control will likely stay with the Republican Party. Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Transportation, Science, Space and Technology and the Rules Chairmanships are all up for grabs. NAPO takes particular interest in the Judiciary and Homeland Security new leadership. The Judiciary Chairman, Lamar Smith of Texas is to be replaced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and Homeland Security Chairman, Peter King of New York by Rep. Candice Miller of Michigan. 

The lame duck session begins Tuesday, November 13^th after seven weeks of recess. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) said that the House Republican's goal for the lame duck will include replacing the sequester and extending all of the tax rates while gearing up for tax and entitlement reform next year.  Members of both chambers have several items on the to-do-list, including unfinished fiscal 2013 appropriations, the farm bill, defense authorization and addressing the sequester.

Last night President Obama perfectly highlighted his agenda for the next 4 years, "I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead." NAPO is proud to support this Administration and continue to work with them to improve the lives of America's finest.

Save the Dates!

Please Make Note of NAPO's 2013 Events

25th Annual Police, Fire, EMS & Municipal

Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar

Sunday, February 17 – Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Encore at Wynn Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nevada

20th Annual TOP COPS Awards Dinner

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Omni Shoreham Hotel – Washington, District of Columbia

NAPO Lobbies on Capitol Hill

Monday, May 13 – Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Washington, District of Columbia

NAPO's 35th Annual Convention

Saturday, July 20 – Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Millennium Maxwell House Hotel – Nashville, Tennessee

Please visit www.napo.org for detailed event information and

exhibiting/sponsorship opportunities.

Contact us at (800) 322-6276 or via e-mail: info@napo.org with any questions

NAPO proudly introduces The 25th Annual Police, Fire, EMS, and Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar scheduled for February 17 -19, 2013 Las Vegas, Nevada at the Encore at Wynn Hotel. The goal of this event is to educate your members of pension and union representatives along with their providers on the latest issues surrounding the pension and benefits industry.

New this year, NAPO is teaming-up with Opal Financial Group to improve the Pension & Benefits Seminar. The seminar is spotlighting key issues you want to know about, including reducing healthcare costs in the midst of new regulations, revising your asset allocation strategy, responding to DB versus DC plan debate, the outlook nationally and internationally on a new presidential administration, realistic projections of earnings and assumption rates, preservation of assets, and much more.