On the Hill: An Early Look at Congressional Leadership Races

The countdown for the end of the 119^th Congress has officially begun. Lawmakers have returned to Washington this week for eight more weeks. There is talk of what will make it into the end of year package: funding for the Iran war and election security; government funding for fiscal 2027; national defense policy; and most importantly, health care extenders that expire in December, including funding for certain Medicare hospital programs and community health centers. There is still a possibility for another government shutdown in December if a bipartisan and bicameral agreement is not reached.

Congressional Leadership Races

In the overall congressional leadership picture, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is slated to become speaker of the House and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) the Senate majority leader. House Democrats' top priorities will include reversing Medicaid cuts and restoring the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Jeffries said in a post-election press conference.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly said he will not run for minority leader after the election losses. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is making a run for the leadership role and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), currently the Majority Leader, announced he will also run. There are two potential contenders for the minority whip, current whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) versus Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX).

House Energy and Commerce

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) is in line to become chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, with Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) remaining the top Republican.

Pallone has set up an agenda of oversight focused on the politicization of health agencies and HHS Secretary Kennedy's vaccine policies, and has experience leading on FDA issues like user fee negotiations. He wants to reverse the Medicaid cuts from the 2025 tax bill and restore enhanced ACA tax credits. He also wants the committee to further expand Medicare drug price negotiations to include more drugs, as well as making lower drug prices available on the private market.

The bigger question will be about the health subcommittee role. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), who won in a redrawn district, and emergency room doctor Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) both expressed interest, though Ruiz said he would defer to Castor's seniority.

House Ways & Means

The House Ways & Means Committee is expected to be led by Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), with Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) remaining the leading Republican.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee

With Democrats winning the Senate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, is poised to chair the HELP committee. Sanders would likely pursue reversing Medicaid cuts and work requirements passed last year in H.R. 1, along with aggressive oversight of Secretary Kennedy's agenda on vaccine policy and other issues.

Current Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) lost his primary to Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), who will be the next senator from Louisiana. With Cassidy gone, the race for the top GOP spot on HELP is wide open.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is next in line for the top Republican spot on both the HELP and appropriations committees. For whichever committee Murkowski becomes the Republican leader, she will be a moderate voice who is more interested in legislating over political theater. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is another potential candidate for Republican HELP committee leadership

In addition to Murkowski and Hawley, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) could also take over Republican leadership of the HELP committee, but would have to give up his Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee leadership. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is next in line but has not been a vocal leader on health issues and does not serve on the health subcommittee.

Overall, there will be six open spots on the Senate HELP committee.

Senate Finance Committee

On the Finance Committee, which has a leading role in legislation on Medicare, Medicaid and health care finances, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), will take over the gavel. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) is expected to maintain Republican leadership.

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