Recently, we reported on the preliminary results from the 2020 elections. While some congressional races remain too close to call, headed to recount, or a January 5 runoff, a clearer picture has emerged as to how the elections have impacted CTE caucus membership.
First, all CTE Caucus co-chairs will remain in Congress and serve in the upcoming 117th congressional session. In the Senate, none of the caucus co-chairs were up for re-election, while in the House, co-chairs Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) were both re-elected.
On the Senate side, we hope the results will ultimately increase the number of caucus members. There are only two Senate CTE Caucus members that will not be returning in the 117th Congress. The three members not returning are Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY), who is retiring at the end of this Congress, and Doug Jones (D-AL), who lost his re-election bid. However, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Rep. Roger Marhsall (R-KS), who won seats to replace retiring members, were members of the House CTE Caucus who we believe will join the Senate CTE Caucus after their swearing in. There are also several other new Senators that could be potential targets for Caucus membership.
In terms of House CTE Caucus membership, there will be a number of members leaving the caucus. This is in part due to the large number of retirements in the House, several incumbents defeated, and representatives who chose to pursue another office. Those members of the caucus who are not returning to serve in the House are:
- Ralph Abraham (R-LA) (Retired)
- Susan Brooks (R-IN) (Retired)
- Bradley Byrne (R-AL) (Retired to run for Senate - Lost Primary)
- Susan Davis (D-CA) (Retired)
- Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) (Defeated in General)
- Tom Graves (R-GA) (Resigned)
- Danny Heck (D-WA) (Retired to run for LG - Elected)
- Kendra Horn (D-OK) (Defeated in General)
- Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) (Retired to run for Senate - Lost Primary)
- Steve King (R-IA) (Defeated in Primary)
- Dave Loebsack (D-IA) (Retired)
- Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) (Retired to run for Senate - Elected)
- Roger Marshall (R-KS) (Retired to run for Senate - Elected)
- Paul Mitchell (R-MI) (Retired)
- Collin Peterson (D-MN) (Defeated in General)
- Scott Tipton (R-CO) (Defeated in Primary)
Following every congressional election, ACTE meets with new Members of Congress. As part of this outreach to freshmen Members, ACTE recruits new members for the congressional CTE Caucuses. We believe that through these efforts, and with the help of grassroots advocacy from our members, we can add more Members of Congress to the Senate CTE Caucus, and replace (and exceed!) the 16 House CTE Caucus members who are not returning to Congress.
Our optimism about increasing CTE caucus membership comes in part from the number of political ads that included mention of CTE and workforce training as key messaging points. Further, with the background of the pandemic and recession, we imagine that CTE will be a focal point of this upcoming Congress, which could increase interest in Caucus membership.
Once the 117th Congress is sworn in, we'll be asking CTE advocates to contact their Members of Congress, particularly any new members, to ask them to join their respective CTE Caucus. To stay up-to-date on these requests, be sure to sign-up for ACTE's legislative alerts here.
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