CCTS Newsletter Copy
By: Dane Christiansen and Kira Flaherty, Washington Representatives
November 5, 2026
The Tuesday, November 3rd, mid-term elections brought sweeping change to Capitol Hill and national politics. The American people delivered a stern rebuke of the status quo by electing Democrats across the nation (and in a notable majority of state races). As votes were counted, the outcome became clear early in the evening, and it was obvious to all (including the White House) that in January the Democrats would enjoy a tremendous majority in the House (ending the razor-thin control that has stymied the legislative process) and the Senate would have at least a four-vote Democratic majority.
The anti-science sentiment that had recently gripped national policy spurned several physicians and medical professionals to run for office on the Democratic ticket. And each one of them won their races. High profile candidates include incoming South Carolina Senator and pediatrician, Annie Andrews, and incoming Michigan Senator and epidemiologist, Abdul El-Sayed. Republican John Cowan from Georgia became the first neurologist elected to the House, but his victory comes at a time when Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Dr. Roger Marshall (R-KS) will be leaving the Senate.
Heading into the election, appropriators from both parties sought to reassure stakeholders that no one is interested in a government shutdown nor year-long Continuing Resolution (this is mainly a separation of powers issues grown out of bipartisan fear that the administration would fill any policy gap created by Congress). Moreover, Senate Appropriations Chair, Susan Collins (R-ME), and Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) had been working on extensive legislative language to protect the NIH process and research integrity from political interference beyond blocking the OMB proposed takeover, and that effort require an appropriate legislative vehicle. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has been vocal on her interest of completing the FY 2027 process this year and “clearing the decks” for next year, but the Senate holds serve for any final appropriations activity. At this time, the end-gams is unclear for FY 2027, but the Senate will likely need to hold a full committee mark up for an omnibus bill or a couple hearing for a series of mini-buses and possibly pass another CR to buy additional time to complete the process.
While the final funding numbers and timeline for FY 2027 appropriations remain unclear now, what is already known is that the appropriations committees (along with other key committees) will see tremendous change in the next Congress. Rather than working the margins with a few new members and simply changing leadership, Senate Appropriations for example will need to be largely reconstituted early next year. Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) will not be returning, Senator Husted (R-OH) was defeated in a special election sending Sherrod Brown back to fill out the term, and Senator Hyde-Smith (R-MS) is behind in her re-election bid, Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) lost re-election, and Senator McConnell (R-KY) is not returning to Congress.
With all the turnover and new faces coming to Capitol Hill, outreach and education will be particularly important to advance community-specific opportunities, even as the overall environment for research and patient care policy greatly improves.