2022 Midterm Elections – What’s Happening in Washington

Lewis-Burke Associates – December 9, 2022 

On November 8, 2022, U.S. held the midterm elections for the U.S House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  Despite historical trends and political projections of a “red wave,” Democrats retained control of the Senate and Republicans won only a narrow majority in the House.  This will usher in at least two years of divided government, but significantly constrain overly partisan legislation or attempts by Republicans to roll back major legislation passed over the last two years.  Divided government may also cause gridlock and prevent President Biden from advancing more ambitious legislation.

Republicans taking the majority in the House of Representatives will result in new Congressional leadership.  Current minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is likely to become the Speaker, with current Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) becoming Majority Leader and Republican Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Tom Emmer (R-MN) taking the number three role of Majority Whip.  Rep. McCarthy already faces a challenge from the far-right Freedom Caucus, which is seeking major concessions to elect him, Speaker.  House Democrats will also see a generational change in leadership, as current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that she will not be seeking re-election as Democratic Leader, enabling a brand-new leadership team to be led by Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).    

In the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), will keep their positions.  Democrats were able to gain a seat in the Senate, however, they will

face another extremely tight majority with only a one seat advantage.  While legislation will require bipartisan, bicameral support, the additional Senate seat will allow Democrats to more efficiently approve Biden’s nominations and move legislation through committees.

There are some areas of compromise that Congress could possibly legislate with bipartisan support.  Those areas could include:

• Funding newly authorized programs from the CHIPS and Science bill including NSF’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate; large centers and research initiatives at the Department of Energy; Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs at the Department of Commerce; bioeconomy focused research and development; and major STEM workforce programs, among others
• Science and technology investments to maintain U.S. competitiveness and ensure national security through upgrading defense infrastructure and investing in emerging technologies such as space exploration and defense, artificial intelligence and machine learning, microelectronics, hypersonics, quantum, and next-generation telecommunications.
• Support for major health innovation policy.  This includes continued efforts to address pandemic preparedness and biodefense through the anticipated reauthorization of the Pandemics and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).  In addition, while the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) was established in the FY 2022 omnibus appropriations bill, members of both parties will continue to pursue authorizing provisions for the new agency as it stands up programs and identifies priorities in transformative health research.

Along with these opportunities for bipartisan cooperation, a divided Congress will usher in a political climate more focused on deficit reduction, oversight of federal agencies, and use of investigations and subpoenas to probe action by the Biden Administration and the Executive Branch.  While oversight and investigative activities are unlikely to create specific changes in policy or funding, they can distract federal agency leadership, move public opinion, and lay the groundwork for future policy changes under periods of unified government.