Unless you are deeply engaged in the healthcare package, you are probably looking at 2026 as the next opportunity to influence policy.  If you are looking to run the same playbook as you did in 2025, you will effectively be playing baseball on a tennis court. Strategies need to be realigned for the new dynamics that will come with the new year ahead. 

Different Time Window:  Next year, the real window for policy is the first six months of the year (when political risk remains low). The first month will likely be focused on avoiding a government shutdown and some leftover legislation from the previous year. So, the window is somewhat narrow, but doable.  

The Election Brings New Hurdles:  Policymakers on the ballot are looking at legislation (or any kind of policy) through a political lens, in part. They want to avoid doing something that could bring risk to their campaign.  So, bipartisanship is important not only because it is needed to move legislation through the legislative process, but it also reduces political risk (sometimes).  

Retirements Change Vote Patterns:  Policymakers retiring at the end of Congress don’t always feel the need to vote straight party line on their way out of Congress…and there will be a lot of policymakers retiring at the end of next year (already over 50). This could bring legislation unelected support or unexpected opposition. Nonetheless, it will be important to factor in the uncertainty around votes by retiring members.  

Policymakers May Separate from Leadership:  With an election approaching and political concerns rampant, policymakers tend to sometimes create distance between themselves and their leadership (which we are already seeing). This could have real impacts, given that party leadership has all control over the legislative process.  

Lame Duck Session is a Policy Opportunity:  Unlike this year, there will be a lame duck session of Congress after the 2026 election, which usually brings a lot of legislative movement, as political risk is not really a factor. This creates opportunity, of course, but it is a crowded field, so planning well in advance here will be important.