How The November Election Could Impact PCOs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Nov. 7th election, in which Democrats won enough seats in the House and Senate to recapture control of Congress (for the first time since1994), could present regulatory challenges for the pest control industry. 

Generally speaking, Republican control of Congress the last 12 years has been good for PCOs because the GOP’s agenda has been pro-business and not focused heavily on environmental issues (e.g., pesticide issues). But the Democrats' win in the Senate and House of Representatives will surely put pressure on President George Bush’s administration on a wide range of issues, including the environment.

Of special concern for PCOs is the Senate, where Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., will take over as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, replacing Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla. “Our experience was that Senator Inhofe was friendly to our stances, but that may change with Senator Boxer who could be hostile or even averse to our positions,” said Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs, National Pest Management Association.

Boxer’s congressional history would suggest there could be challenges ahead. Specifically, Boxer has tried to attach “non-industry friendly” school pest control legislation as amendments to existing bills.

For example, in 2001 Boxer added to an existing bill an amendment that would require notification to parents 48 hours before a pesticide application is made in or around a school. The amendment was added as part of the Education Savings Account bill. It also would have directed EPA to improve its outreach to help schools reduce their use of pesticides. The notification amendment was originally part of Boxer's Children Environmental Protection Act (S. 1112), a broader bill that was defeated.

Harrington said it would not surprise him to see this issue re-introduced. “One of the reasons we were able to avoid battles with school pest management was because it just was not being heard under Republican leadership,” he said. “Now the issue may be out in the open, forcing Republicans to vote on it. It will be difficult to persuade Republicans to vote against this type of an issue.”

Harrington said he believes that the news is better in the House of Representatives, where Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., is in line to become chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Harrington says Peterson will be good to work with and that Tim Holden, D-Pa, who also serves on the House Ag Committee, has been receptive to NPMA and its members.

In addition to school pest management, another issue that NPMA has been working on that could be affected by the election is S.406 and H.R. 525. The Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, or H.R. 525 and S. 406, is legislation making health insurance more available to small business. This bill allows groups such as pest control operators, on a national scale, to band together to obtain medical insurance at group rates. Harrington says this bill may not get as much consideration with the new Congress.

Despite legitimate causes for concern, Harrington points out that margins in both the House and Senate are slim, so it will still be challenging to pass bills.

“I do think that we have been careful in balancing relationships with both sides of the aisle, so I don’t think we are in a terrible position,” Harrington said. “We will have to redouble our efforts and continue to cultivate relationships.”

Harrington added the same holds true for NPMA members and noted that Legislative Day is a good opportunity for members to introduce themselves to their legislators, especially new members of congress. Legislative Day 2007 is scheduled for Feb. 26-27, 2007 at The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. Click here for more information.