2022 midterm elections and outlook for the 118th Congress

The results from the midterm elections have changed the political landscape of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. This report provides an overview of the trends emerging from the norm-breaking results, what to expect in the lame duck session, and the outlook for leadership and policy in the 118th Congress.  We will update this report as significant race updates and information become available.

The 2022 midterm elections had Republicans eagerly anticipating a red wave while Democrats braced for a surge that could hand the GOP up to 40 House seats and controlling majorities in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. To the Republicans’ dismay (and the Democrats’ relief), the wave never reached shore, and Democrats outperformed expectations and historical midterm elections norms.

At the time of this report’s publication, Democrats will retain control of the Senate after Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s race was decided on Nov. 12, giving Democrats a 50-49 seat majority. A Dec. 6 runoff election in Georgia will determine whether Democrats can extend that lead to 51-49 seats.  Control of the House of Representatives has not yet been determined, with Republican winning 217 seats and Democrats at 204 seats. Republicans are expected to secure the 218 seats needed to secure the majority, albeit, by a much slimmer margin than predicted. The following report provides an overview of the results of the election and what to expect in the upcoming lame duck session that will close out the 117th Congress. The report also previews changes in policy, leadership, and committees in the upcoming 118th Congress.

Please see our in-depth report here. We will update this report as significant race updates and information become available.

 

 

Authored by Shelley Castle and Patrick Zinck.

Contacts
Aaron Cutler
Partner
Washington, D.C.

 

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