NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc.

11/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2026 12:42

Midterms Reshape Congress: What It Means for Recreational Boating

Voters gave Democrats control of the U.S. House and Senate in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The results create a divided government for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The new 120th Congress will be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2027.

What it means for recreational boating
For the recreational marine manufacturing community, the new Congress brings new leaders, new committee chairs, and new opportunities to continue to build support for marine manufacturing. NMMA's policy priorities have long earned support from both parties, and that bipartisan foundation positions the industry to continue advancing its goals in Washington.
Boater access is one area where common ground exists. Lawmakers from both parties have led efforts to reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), and the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF).
The new Congress will also bring new committee leaders. These committees write the laws that govern public lands, waterways, trade, and taxes. NMMA will work with leaders in both parties to advance the industry's top policy priorities:
  1. Protect and expand boater access to public waters.
  2. Drive innovation and marine technology.
  3. Keep U.S. marine manufacturing globally competitive.
  4. Improve and expand recreation infrastructure.
NMMA looks forward to welcoming the new elected members of Congress to Washington on Jan. 3, 2027.
Senate: Democrats gain seven seats
Democrats held 54 Senate seats to 44 for Republicans as of midday Wednesday. Races in Alaska and Mississippi remain uncalled. Republicans held a 53-47 majority heading into Election Day, and Democrats needed a net gain of four seats to win control.
Democrats flipped seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas. In Texas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to become the state's first Democratic senator elected since 1988. In Maine, Troy Jackson defeated Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. In Iowa, Josh Turek defeated Ashley Hinson. Adam Hamilton won in Kansas, and Annie Andrews won in South Carolina.
Democrats also held seats in Georgia and Michigan. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., won re-election, and Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers for Michigan's open seat. Republicans held the Florida special election, where Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., defeated Angie Nixon.
House: Largest majority since 1993
Democrats won at least 236 House seats as of midday Wednesday, a net gain of 31 seats so far, according to NBC News. NBC News projects Democrats will finish with at least 258 seats. That would be the party's largest House majority since 1993. A majority takes 218 seats. Republicans held a 218-214 majority before the election.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is expected to become speaker in January. Current Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated he will not run for GOP minority leader.
States: Governors and legislatures
Voters in 36 states elected governors, and 88 state legislative chambers held elections. Democrats flipped governorships in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas. As of midday Wednesday, Democrats hold at least 28 governorships to 20 for Republicans, with two races uncalled. Republicans held a 26-24 edge before Election Day. NMMA will track the final state results closely.
Recreational boating is a uniquely made-in-America industry. Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses. Boating generates $230 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 812,000 jobs at 36,000 businesses. Boats made in the U.S. are also in demand around the world.
NMMA looks forward to working with the new Congress, the administration, and state leaders to expand access to public waters and strengthen American manufacturing.
NMMA - National Marine Manufacturers Association Inc. published this content on November 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 04, 2026 at 18:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]