Following each election cycle, the real work begins for lobbying and public affairs professionals. As new leadership steps in, the legislative priorities shift and policy agendas are redefined in both the House and Senate. Government affairs professionals need to be able to quickly adapt their advocacy strategies to the evolving power dynamics and find the right opportunities to influence policy outcomes. Knowing the key players on Capitol Hill, including staff members and federal agency leadership working behind the scenes, is crucial to strategic planning and effective advocacy outcomes.
For lobbyists and other public affairs professionals navigating Capitol Hill, up-to-date, detailed congressional directories are an invaluable resource to identify and engage with the right decision-makers to advance policy goals. Bloomberg Government’s public affairs software offers comprehensive directories of members of Congress and their staff – updated daily so you’re always working with the most up-to-date information.
Below, we outline post-election strategies to help you prepare for shifting political dynamics in the House and Senate and share essential insights for optimizing advocacy and lobbying efforts.
[Download our Post-Election Shuffle: What You Need to Drive Policy Wins report for insight into shaping policy at the start of a new congressional term.]
Which party currently controls Congress?
The 2024 election has redefined the political landscape on Capitol Hill. With the Republican party securing control of the Senate and narrowing its majority in the House, the implications for policy making are significant.
These changes to the makeup of both the House and Senate set the stage for major shifts in committee leadership, legislative agendas, and public policy priorities. Congressional directories will be an essential tool to connect lobbyists and advocates with the congressional leaders shaping policy.
Republicans maintain a slight majority in the House
The Republican Party retains control of the House of Representatives, continuing their majority from the previous term. Republicans currently hold 218 seats while the Democrats have 215.
The balance of power in the House will likely change in January. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) resigned from Congress to become Trump’s national security adviser, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is also set to resign if confirmed as ambassador to the UN. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) resigned from the 118th Congress and won’t take his seat in the 119th Congress.
This slim margin indicates a narrowly divided House, where coalition-building and bipartisan cooperation may be critical for passing legislation. For public affairs professionals, knowing which members hold key committee positions, where their legislative priorities lie, and how to reach the right staff in their office is crucial in such a finely balanced House. Congressional directories offer lobbyists the tools they need to navigate these legislative dynamics, helping you pinpoint those House members who may become pivotal swing votes in crucial policy debates.
Which House seats flipped in the last election?
As a result of the 2024 elections, 17 House seats changed parties: The Republicans flipped eight seats while nine congressional seats flipped to the Democrats.
Republicans secure Senate control
Wins in several close races in 2024 secured a Republican majority in the Senate of 53 seats to the Democrats’ 47 seats, including two independents who caucus with Democrats.
This new majority gives Senate Republicans the power to shape committee assignments and control over the Senate’s agenda, including budgetary and policy discussions that could have wide-ranging impact on industries from health care to energy. Staying informed about who leads the Senate’s key committees is essential to understand and influence policy direction.
The current balance of power in the U.S. Senate
Which Senate seats flipped in the last election?
Of the 33 Senate seats up for election in 2024, the Republican Party flipped four of them, securing their majority:
- Montana: Tim Sheehy (R) defeated incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D).
- Ohio: Bernie Moreno (R) defeated incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).
- Pennsylvania: Dave McCormick (R) defeated incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D).
- West Virginia: Jim Justice (R) defeated Glenn Elliott (D) to win the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin.
No Republican Senate seats flipped to the Democratic Party in 2024.
Building relationships with new members
As newly elected members take office, they and their staff members are faced with the daunting task of translating campaign promises into tangible policies. Lobbyists and advocates can use congressional directories to identify fresh opportunities to reach out, introduce issues, and start relationships that may be pivotal.
Several key newly elected members of Congress will play important roles in the upcoming legislative session, including:
- Val Hoyle (D) in Oregon’s 4th District and Josh Riley (D) in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley are among notable Democrats who won in competitive congressional districts.
- John Manion (D) in Syracuse, New York, won his congressional race after benefitting from favorable redistricting in his district.
- Ruben Gallego (D) held his Senate seat in Arizona, a state with increasing political importance.
Identifying key policy allies and opponents
Knowing where individual congressional members stand on issues helps in building coalitions or anticipating and countering opposition. Aligning lobbying and advocacy efforts with local economic and social interests can make a significant difference when targeting elected officials from specific regions or with localized constituency interests. Understanding the local nuances of issues is essential for professionals looking to influence the legislative agenda of elected officials who won tightly contested races.
For example, in 2024, Republicans extended electoral gains in Hispanic-majority areas of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, showing a shifting demographic trend. And in certain states where President Donald Trump won in 2024, Democratic Senate candidates such as Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin and Alyssa Slotkin in Michigan managed to secure victories. Sen. Baldwin’s campaign outreach to Wisconsin’s dairy farmers helped her connect with a traditionally conservative constituency that might otherwise have leaned Republican. These results underscore the importance of localizing issues and policy positions.
[Download our Voter Demographics and Redistricting report to explore the latest U.S. Census data and how population changes will affect congressional elections until 2030.]
Tracking committee leadership changes and legislative priorities
The ability to connect directly with committee chairs and members is crucial for public affairs professionals looking to make an impact. The Republican majorities in both the House and Senate are tasked with shaping legislation in several contentious policy areas, from immigration reform to energy policy. These changes are set to significantly impact industries, advocacy efforts, and government relations strategies. Congressional directories help navigate these relationships, offering direct access to decision-makers and committee staff, making directories an indispensable tool for professionals seeking to drive outcomes efficiently.
[The Republican-led Congress has hit the ground running with a packed policy agenda and new faces in key roles. Watch our on-demand webinar The Start of the 119th Congress to understand the dynamics and anticipate the effects on industries, regulations, and opportunities.]
Key House committee leadership
As Republicans retain control of the House, they will maintain leadership over key committees, including:
- House Judiciary Committee: This is likely to be retained by current chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a vocal conservative with a focus on investigations and tech regulations.
- House Oversight Committee: Having been committee chair since 2023, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) is expected to steer the committee’s focus toward scrutinizing executive policies.
- House Ways and Means Committee: Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) is expected to take over chairmanship of the committee, potentially focusing on tax reform and budgetary oversight.
Key Senate committee leadership
With their newfound majority, Senate Republicans have assumed leadership of Senate committees, which will have significant implications for future lobbying and regulatory strategy. For example:
- Senate Finance Committee: Committee Republicans have an influential role in shaping tax and health-care policies.
- Senate Judiciary Committee: Committee leaders are focusing on judicial appointments and reforms, crucial for sectors such as technology and health care.
Execute a winning public affairs strategy with Bloomberg Government
No matter the balance of power in Congress, public affairs professionals need to be adaptable, nurture strong connections, and have a well-timed approach. Download our Post-Election Shuffle: What You Need to Drive Policy Wins report for five best practices to effectively shape policy outcomes after elections.
In such a dynamic political environment, it’s crucial for government affairs teams to have the right public affairs software to navigate the challenges and strategic opportunities that come with each new congressional term. Bloomberg Government offers a critical advantage: expanded industry data, real-time bill tracking, and comprehensive congressional directories that support effective government relations and help public affairs professionals stay ahead of the curve.
Our congressional and state legislative directories aren’t just a resource – they’re a strategic asset for anyone wanting to connect and engage with elected officials and their staff to influence policy outcomes at both the federal and state levels. More than a list of names and emails, our congressional and state legislative directories provide a comprehensive view of lawmakers and their staff, with details such as:
- Biography: View a photo of and concise summary of each legislator’s educational background, career highlights, and voting history.
- News: See the latest articles, press releases, and transcripts that feature the legislator from more than 35,000 vetted sources.
- Committee assignments and caucuses: Track which committees or caucuses the senator or House member serves on.
- Sponsored bills: Read quick summaries of legislation sponsored by the member or follow links to our legislative tracking tool for full coverage.
Ready to get started? Request a demo to see how Bloomberg Government’s comprehensive platform can help you stay ahead, advocate effectively, and achieve your policy goals.