Lewis-Burke has provided a congressional outlook report on prospects for major legislation and congressional activity in the 119th Congress of most relevance to the research, education, and academic medicine communities. A new Congress presents new opportunities to help shape and advocate for major legislation in a broad set of areas, such as Artificial Intelligence and quantum, national security programs, agriculture research programs under the Farm Bill, energy research and development with a new Energy Act, workforce development programs, drug pricing and other health care reforms, and seed ideas for a new surface transportation bill. With opportunities also come challenges. A Republican Congress is likely to reduce overall discretionary spending and prioritize funding for national security, which would squeeze science agencies as well as education and healthcare programs. A Trump Administration and Republican Congress also plan to add additional research security requirements; expand endowment taxes; eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; eliminate or reduce federal student aid programs and U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant programs; reduce benefits under Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act; and reform public health agencies. This congressional outlook includes predictions on key legislation Congress is expected to advance in the new Congress.
January 23, 2025