How You Fit Into the 2026 Congressional Calendar
With the second session of the 119th Congress well underway, the political landscape has changed drastically since President Trump’s second term began. Speaker Mike Johnson is contending with the narrowest majority in the House in over 100 years as Leader John Thune navigates internal caucus divisions and competing pressures from his members and the administration.
While all eyes rightly remain on the White House, the 2026 midterms will inevitably change the tenor of how Washington operates this year. After a whirlwind 2025, Congress is showing signs of reinvigoration as both chambers assemble appropriations packages to avoid another shutdown. With new uncertainty around funding the Department of Homeland Security, ongoing negotiations continue as lawmakers try to come to an agreement to avoid a partial shutdown. And as the midterm year begins, members of Congress will spend far more time in their states and districts as we get closer to November, leaving fewer days in Washington for legislative action.
Turn on any cable news outlet these days and you might hear a lot about how this shorter legislative calendar automatically implies that policymakers are working less. Don’t fall for it. Members of Congress in an election year will spend more time at home, paying even closer attention to what their constituents are saying. Election years always trigger a shift in policymakers’ schedules–and it should also trigger a reassessment of a communications and public affairs strategy.
Seize Opportunities at the Local Level
In a midterm year, all politics is local. With the House only scheduled to be in session 114 days this year, district work periods provide a moment to develop a localized strategic communications plan. While it might seem like members of Congress will tune out major policy debates in Washington when they are at home, the opposite is often the case. Hearing about an issue at home–especially in a way that feels organic– is often the quickest way to get a policymaker to lock on your issue. Whether it’s via social media channels or a weekly paper at the grocery store, each of these outlets have the potential to influence key audiences.
Put Your Issue Under Policymakers’ Umbrella
To find success in this increasingly difficult environment, every company, trade association and coalition should be looking for opportunities to show members of Congress in both parties and the Trump administration how their top issues dovetail with the issues dominating the campaign trail.
For example, affordability is the new buzzword across the country as candidates jostle for voters’ support. The energy, healthcare, banking and housing sectors (to name a few) will have to position their reputations and policy priorities under this new umbrella for any chance of success.
In addition, Trump’s new foreign policy focus, whether energy infrastructure in Venezuela or sovereign control over Greenland, can pull focus and change negotiations in Washington and political dynamics among voters very quickly.
Follow the Money
As super PACs and 501(c)4s on both sides of the aisle gear up to spend truckloads of money nationwide to defend their members, keep an eye on their decisions for key clues. Watching the money–where it goes and what issues it–will serve as a crystal ball for salient issues in major races.
Use the Election Year to Reassess Priorities
For corporations, associations and coalitions still seeking to influence the legislative process, it’s critical to demonstrate how your priorities align with key election year priorities for the Trump administration and individual members of Congress, especially in close races.
Election years also are valuable sources of information as more polls provide additional information about what is resonating with elected officials and voters the most and–more importantly–how to talk about those issues in a way that will resonate.
