Strategies for a New Congress

We are just about a month away from an election and a couple of months away from a new Congress - now is the time to plan.  

You have spent all this time working on an issue in the 119th Congress, and now you are facing a new Congress, maybe a new majority, and many new policymakers.  Should you start from scratch, start over, or something in between?  

Regardless of the election’s outcome, next year will be vastly different than this year.  First of all, the 120th Congress will exist within a Presidential election cycle, so there will be more politics than usual.  At least 25% of Congress will be new.  Priorities will naturally shift. The President’s relationship with Congress will change, as will the internal dynamics of the Republican and Democratic caucuses. All will look the same, but the substance of legislation, debates, and outcomes will vary widely.  

Here are five strategies to adjust to next year:

(1) Scenario Plan: There is no need to wait for the election… there are not many potential outcomes, so do some scenario planning for each.  Different scenarios will bring different levels of potential for movement, but knowing what those scenarios are and how they will differ will certainly help get ahead of next year.  

(2) Audit Existing Champions: It goes without saying that it will be important to know where your champions are going to be in the new Congress (moving up, moving out, etc.).  Then analyze those policymakers who have been helpful, supportive, or a problem.  This will all help put the puzzle pieces together for next year (and, more importantly, identify what pieces are missing).

(3) Identify Policy Trends: A new Congress will bring new ideas, new issues, and new opportunities.  Knowing that going into the new Congress is vital.  For example, AI regulations are an elevated issue for next year.  There are many others…if they impact your issues, knowing that helps to inform where you might fit into those emerging debates.  

(4) Connect with Third Party Validators: Just like Congress changes, so do the outside groups you might rely on.  If you have secured partner organizations to help with your issue, make sure they plan on prioritizing it again this year.  Their agenda will shift before next year, so inform them now.  

(5) Innovate: There is nothing worse than running the same play over and over again.  Use this time to identify new, innovative ideas to help secure more support, champions, and press around your issue.