Notwithstanding a handful of too-close-to-call seats, the 116th Congress is starting to take shape. In both chambers, there will be changes to the committees with jurisdiction over education issue
In the Senate, Republicans have secured a majority of at least 52 seats, and could expand their majority if incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) wins in a runoff election next month. In the last Congress, where Republicans had a 51-49 majority, Republicans on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee had only a one seat majority. However, in the 114th Congress, when party composition was split 54-46, most committees had a two-seat difference between parties, including HELP. Thus, it is yet to be determined whether Republicans will enjoy a one or two seat majority on HELP, and the results of the Mississippi could be determinative.
Not only may the partisan composition of the HELP Committee change, but so too might the actual members. The only definite change on the HELP Committee roster is Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who did not run for re-election. While other senators may choose to pursue other committee assignments, HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) are expected to continue in their current posts.
On the House side, there will be significant changes to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The first change is expected to be the name of the committee, where Democrats are widely anticipated to change it to the Committee on Education and Labor, replacing the term "workforce" in the committee's name. Democrats will be able to make this change because they have gained control of the House, meaning they will regain power on all committees. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) is poised to become the chairman of the committee. It is not yet clear what the composition of the committee will be, as that may depend on the results in a few too-close-to-call outstanding House races. However, the committee members who will definitely not be returning to Congress are:
- Lou Barletta (R-PA) (Retired to run for Senate)
- Dave Brat (R-VA) (Defeated)
- Tom Garrett (R-VA) (Retired)
- Karen Handel (R-GA) (Defeated)
- Jason Lewis (R-MN) (Defeated)
- Luke Messer (R-IN) (Retired to run for Senate)
- Jared Polis (D-CO) (Retired to run for Governor)
- Todd Rokita (R-IN) (Retired to run for Senate)
- Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) (Retired)
In terms of congressional priorities, with a Democratic takeover in the House, experts predict that a significant amount of time will be devoted to congressional inquiries and hearings into the Trump administration. This includes inquiries into Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, with anticipated topics including campus sexual assault and higher education loan borrowing. However, it remains possible that some bipartisan priorities are pursued in the 116th Congress, including a potential infrastructure package that could include a workforce development component. ACTE will continue our federal policy advocacy on CTE-related issues, and work closely with both Democrats and Republicans to strengthen the CTE system.
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