Technology types beg Republicans for favors

On Tuesday, executives of the Information Technology Industry Association, American Electronics Association, Electronic Industries Alliance, TechNet and ITAA are scheduled to hold a press conference urging Congress to make the R&D tax credit a permanent legislative fixture.

If history is any indication, congressional lame-duck sessions can result in an impasse, particularly when power shifts are imminent. Politicians from the incoming majority party have a strong incentive to block legislation they don't care for, and political disputes often flare up. If spending bills are unfinished, that leaves the fallback approach: passing a "continuing resolution," which keeps the federal government operating for a few more weeks and postpones debate until the new Congress convenes in January.