The Election’s over – so now what for feds?

“What you will see in the next term is a fundamentally different President. He now understands the business of government,” said Steve Ryan.

Ryan heads the office of government strategies at McDermott Will & Emery LLP. He told Chris Dorobek on the DorobekINSIDER program what feds will face in 2013.

No Wave

“This is the first non-wave election since 2004. In 2006 and 2008 the Democrats brought in major change. In 2010 the Republicans brought big changes. This election brought no major changes and in fact brought significant congruity,” said Ryan.

Say Goodbye to Kick the Can

“The hope is that Congress and the White House have kicked the can as far down the road as it can be kicked. The lame duck session that is about to begin will need to be very productive. There is also virtually no structural reason they can’t get started now fixing long-term problems,” said Ryan.

Sequestration

“Sequestration shouldn’t go into effect. It is not a viable decision making model,” said Ryan.

Bi-Partisan Possibility?

“The President was never able to make the campaign about a Republican do nothing congress – which was their belief. The Republicans of course bristle at that. They say there were protecting the public treasury. So this election really told politicians to get on with it. There is a big risk for both parties if they continue to be perceived by the public as immoveable,” said Ryan.

Transition

“There will be a wholesale turnover for the President’s cabinet. State, Treasury, Attorney General and DoD will all see new leaders,” said Ryan.

Contractors

“Contractors continue to have an inability to address having a reasonable picture given of what an agency is going to be able to spend. That has to end. It is unacceptable,” said Ryan.

Future?

“Hopefully the election will make a spasm of activity that is bi-partisan and future oriented. The country has to move forward or there will be another wave coming in 2014,” said Ryan.