Congressional Shake-Ups in the New Year

Following a year of unexpected federal workforce reductions, budget cuts and grant cancellations, and political uncertainty, lawmakers have returned for the second session of the 119th Congress with the 2026 midterm elections looming this November. Several Members of Congress have unexpectedly resigned, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) following a public fall-out with President Trump in 2025. Other members have announced their retirement at the end of the term, including Senators Thomas Tillis (R-NC) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who both have publicly opposed the Trump Administration. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has served in Congress for 39 years and made history as the first female Speaker of the House in 2007, will also be retiring at the end of the term.

Perhaps most notably for the social and behavioral science community, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who currently serves as the Ranking Member for the House Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Research and Technology Subcommittee and is a vocal science champion, is not seeking re-election so she can pursue a Senate. seat Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who previously served as House Majority Leader for several years and currently serves on the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee (LHHS), has also announced that he will retire after nearly 45 years in office. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who currently serves on the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee (CJS) and LHHS Subcommittee, and Gary Peters (D-MI), who currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Senate Appropriations CJS Subcommittee, will also be retiring at the end of the term.

With more announcements expected in the coming months, and a tumultuous midterm election season ahead, it’s clear there will be several power vacuums on committees important to the research community. It will also present opportunities for new champions to rise to the occasion.

In other news, before the end of the year, the House Science Committee welcomed Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) back to the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee. As is common with the start of a new year, more committee shake-ups are expected in the upcoming months.

Stay tuned for COSSA’s continued coverage on the 119th Congress.