How to Capitalize When the Government Reopens
It’s easy to take a look around Washington right now and come away with the impression that nothing’s happening. The longest full government shutdown ever. Deep partisan divides. Intraparty debates. Policy debates play out publicly through memes and TikToks on social media platforms. The way policymakers do business these days has rapidly changed since January and the sense of chaos feels nonstop.
The shift in the media landscape too feels like a walk through a house of mirrors. Anyone who wants to break through the noise can understandably feel uneasy about where to begin. But here’s the good news. Even though it may feel like we are–to paraphrase William Shakespeare–approaching a winter of discontent, there is opportunity in the political uncertainty.
After the Shutdown Ends
With the exception of a few committee hearings in the House and Senate, Congress has largely stood at a standstill since October 1. As of publication, the House has not voted in over a month.
But buried underneath the headlines about ongoing negotiations to fund the government are serious conversations about legislation that will affect multiple industries, including energy, healthcare and financial services. Once the government reopens, policy discussions and the Trump Administration’s priorities will return to the center of the conversation as Congress looks to make up for lost time.
Think of this moment as an opportunity to take advantage of the policy debates that will reemerge front and center after the shutdown ends. Chatter about permitting reform, an end-of-year health care package, health care subsidies and drug price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act all have the potential to dominate the Beltway news cycle in the final quarter of 2025. Simmering debates over banking policies and cryptocurrency regulation could potentially transform the U.S. financial system. The effects of the Trump Administration’s economic policies on consumers and the workforce will also continue to drive stories about approval ratings and voter sentiment. The list goes on.
What does that mean for companies and associations who are trying to think strategically about positioning their priorities in a crowded and noisy DC landscape? It’s important to think of policymakers’ top priorities as entry points into conversations that are timely and will attract attention from key audiences. Crafted in the right way and placed through the right channels, outside voices can have a powerful impact on what happens next.
An Opportunity to Strategically Reassess
Speculation about when the government is likely to reopen is taking place at the same time as headlines cast a sharper look at the midterms. Democrats’ resounding victories in key states like Virginia and New Jersey and the ongoing efforts to redraw congressional maps have breathed new life into the Democratic Party’s political power and support among voters.
The coming year is a critical moment for Democratic candidates and leaders in Washington to take advantage of this momentum and not only show that the party has found its voice but that it can build broad support to successfully counter President Trump’s second term and Republicans in Congress. With Democratic wins up and down the ballot, conversations among political observers about the party’s ability to retake control of Congress next year have already started.
What does that mean for public affairs in Washington? Now is the time to think about creating or reassessing a strategy that accounts for a potential shift in Washington’s political power dynamics. Contrary to the deeply partisan news headlines that dominate Beltway publications, there are opportunities to craft communications strategies that transcend political divisions and promote success across party lines.
A smart business plan will always anticipate what’s coming around a corner and potential changes in any given landscape. As we approach a return to Congressional action and the 2026 midterms, it’s a good time to take a step back and take a look at how public affairs is poised to shift with the reemergence of policy debates and next year’s elections.
