For most of October, both chambers of Congress were in recess and on the campaign trail in preparation for the midterm elections. On Tuesday, November 6, Democrats won control of the House in the 116th Congress, with a 229-199 majority and seven remaining races undecided. The House Foreign Affairs Committee will be chaired by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and the House Appropriations Committee will be chaired by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY). On the Appropriations Committee, the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) Subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT); as full Committee chairs do not frequently also chair subcommittees, the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee should be chaired by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), but this is to be determined. Senate Republicans maintained control of the upper chamber 51-47, with two races remaining undecided. With Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) retiring, Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) is in line to chair the committee, and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) will maintain his role as Ranking Member after winning a close election. The leadership positions of the Senate Appropriations Committee membership will remain unchanged.
Congress returned to action this week with a long laundry list of to-do items. First and foremost is passing a bill to fund part of the government. Recall that, five of the 12 appropriations bills, including those that fund healthcare and defense, were passed into law before the October recess. Seven bills, including the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPs) bills, were temporarily passed until December 7, at which point the agencies will shut down if a permanent funding bill or another temporary short-term funding bill is passed. President Trump and Republican leaders insist they will not hold up negotiations by threatening a shutdown, but that may change if President Trump is not satisfied with funding for the border wall.
When Congress returns, they will also need to elect new leaders for the House. House Republicans are holding leadership elections this week, while House Democrats will do so on December 5. With Speaker Paul Ryan retiring, current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is vying for the top Republican spot in the minority, but will be challenged by Freedom Caucus Member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). On the Democratic side, no clear candidate has emerged to challenge current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for the Speakership, and it appears likely she will retain the top spot among Democrats in the majority.