--- title: "Washington Snapshot: 120th Congress" --- Plus, lame duck outlook, upcoming committee changes, and more! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   | | | --- | | | | --- | | Public policy news and updates for the philanthropic sector | | --- | | ## November 6, 2026 ### What's Happening This Week... - [What We're Tracking in DC](https://email.cof.org/washington-snapshot-120th-congress#hill) - [Additional Updates](https://email.cof.org/washington-snapshot-120th-congress#exec) | | --- | | ### ![](https://email.cof.org/hubfs/Rebrand2022/happening-hill-icon.png?noresize)What We're Tracking in DC ## 120th Congress In case you missed it, this week’s election results mean the 120th Congress will look very different from the 119th. Although 25 House seats and two Senate seats remain uncalled, Democrats will hold majorities in both chambers when members are sworn in early next year. As of early November 6, [the Associated Press is reporting](https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/us-house-results/?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) that Democrats have won 253 House seats and Republicans 160. In the Senate, the breakdown is currently 52 Democrats, 44 Republicans, and two Independents. Outstanding races in both chambers mean the final margins remain uncertain, but we do know that across the House and Senate, there will be over 100 new members. Members return to Washington on Monday, and next week should bring a clearer picture of what the election results mean for the lame duck session as well as the agenda for 2027. Democrats and Republicans in both chambers will have to formally elect leadership, determine committee leads and member assignments, and begin setting legislative and oversight priorities for the new Congress. We’ll share a full preview of the 120th Congress when we know more, and future editions of Snapshot will cover the emerging policy agenda and implications for philanthropy. ### Lame Duck Outlook Congress has only a limited number of legislative days before it adjourns in December. Lawmakers must address extensions of several public health programs, the Farm Bill, the Surface Transportation Bill, and federal government funding. The current [continuing resolution](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6500?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v), which includes a rider blocking further action on [proposed changes to federal financial assistance](https://cof.org/page/proposed-rule-regulation-federal-financial-assistance?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v), expires on December 11. Some Republican members had expressed interest in pursuing a third budget reconciliation bill during the lame duck session. That bill could include defense spending, an increase in the debt ceiling, and spending offsets. No decisions have been made on how to proceed, and members’ willingness to tackle this and other key legislation should become clearer when they return. ### Committee Changes A change in committee leadership will likely pause or end many of the investigations Republican chairs have pursued, including those focused on the tax-exempt sector and individual charitable organizations. Some incoming Democratic chairs and oversight committees in both chambers have already announced their plans to pursue investigations into what they view as corruption involving the Trump Administration and its allies. As more information is announced, we will share any implications on the charitable sector. Leadership changes on the tax-writing committees will also shape the new Congress’s legislative agenda, with potential implications for the charitable sector. - **House Committee on Ways and Means:** Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-MA) is expected to chair the committee again in the 120th Congress, with Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) serving as Ranking Member. The ratio of the parties and the number of new members of the committee have not yet been determined. Regardless, the combination of retirements and election results will affect membership and subcommittee assignments. Rep. Neal has not yet announced his legislative priorities, but affordability, Social Security and retirement, and extensions of expiring tax provisions may be high on the agenda. - **Senate Finance Committee:** Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is expected to return as Chair, with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) serving as Ranking Member. On Wednesday, Sen. Wyden [released a statement](https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/wyden-statement-on-finance-committee-democratic-majority-agenda/?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) outlining priorities for the 120th Congress, including affordability, health care, and trade. The committee’s final makeup remains uncertain, with at least seven current members (one Democrats and six Republicans) leaving due to retirements or election results. Given their Senate majority, Democrats will gain additional committee seats in the new Congress, and we will be watching to see who is selected. A question complicating the committee’s makeup is whether Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a former committee member who won Tuesday’s special election in Ohio, will rejoin. | | --- | | ### ![](https://email.cof.org/hubfs/Rebrand2022/white-house-icon.png?noresize)Additional Updates - The Council [submitted comments](https://cof.org/sites/default/files/2026-11/COF%20Census%20Comment%20FINAL.pdf?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) to the Department of Commerce and Census Bureau urging them to [withdraw the proposed regulation](https://cof.org/page/proposed-rule-decennial-census-population-americans?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) that would change the population count for House apportionment to only include citizens and lawful permanent residents and omit questions about race and ethnicity. - Earlier this week, a coalition of House Democrats [sent a letter](https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2026-10-30garciaespaillatclarkemengtakanoetaltocookcensusbureaurenprmresidencedemographics.pdf?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) to Deputy Under Secretary George Cook, who is performing certain functions of the director of the Census Bureau. The letter expressed opposition to the proposed regulations and urged Commerce and the Census Bureau to rescind the proposed rule on the census. Senate Democrats, along with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Angus King (I-ME), [also sent a letter](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/110226-Senate-Letter-on-Census-Rule.pdf?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) to Deputy Under Secretary Cook, as well as Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs Joyce Meyer, expressing similar concerns. - This week, the Council [submitted a comment](https://cof.org/sites/default/files/2026-11/COF%20Racial%20Nondiscrimination%20Comment%20FINAL.pdf?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) to the Treasury Department and the IRS on the proposed regulation on racial discrimination in private schools. The Council’s comments expressed opposition to the proposed regulation and recommended that it be withdrawn. | | --- | | ### ![](https://email.cof.org/hubfs/Rebrand2022/events-icon-59x50.png?noresize)Upcoming Events | | | --- | --- | | 2026 Annual Member Meeting November 17 2 - 3 p.m. ET | Public Policy Action Network December 7 2 - 2:45 p.m. ET | | | | --- | | #### Keep in Touch! Please feel free to reach out to any of us on the [Public Policy Team](https://cof.org/person/government-affairs-team?utm_campaign=Washington%20Snapshot&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9VGzneqc_s116UtK3sDkntM2CazkkWggBbh6A0LMrTeXeYo3Ezmww37EEVOc99y5mxbB8v) with comments or concerns, or to share an issue, article, event, or op-ed you would like to see covered in a future Washington Snapshot. 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