Webinar Recap: How the Midterm Elections Will Impact Science Policy

I was fortunate to host Prime Movers Lab’s webinar last week on the midterms elections with guests K&L Gates Partner Paul Stimers, Focused Energy Vice President of Government Relations Megan Williams, and E-Space Vice President of Global Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Amy Mehlman. If you missed it, you can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. Here are some of the key takeaways from that conversation:

Science and tech priorities will continue to move forward — but slowly.

After a week of ballot counting, Republicans finally took control of the House of Representatives while Democrats maintained control of the Senate (just as I predicted in my blog last May). Democrats may even increase their majority in the Senate if Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) defeats Herschel Walker in the Georgia runoff next month. Our panelists all agreed that science and technology policy could be one area where the split Congress finds some common ground. The CHIPS and Science Act enjoyed bipartisan support in the current Congress so members who were reelected are likely to support appropriations for the legislation at (or near) authorized levels, which could be a boon for breakthrough science startups that are manufacturing the next-generation of semiconductors, developing fusion energy technology, and conducting groundbreaking research. Mehlman pointed out that it is in the interest of many members to fund these initiatives because they support startups, universities, and labs in their congressional districts/states.

On the other hand, some aspects of the IRA could be targeted for cuts — especially the $80 billion for the Internal Revenue Service. Many of the proposals in the IRA were a “Democratic wishlist,” making its appropriations less certain.

There is still a lot for the current Congress to get done in the lame-duck session.

While cable news talking heads are still talking about the midterm results, we can’t forget everything that the current Congress still needs to do this session. They need to pass a Defense authorization bill (NDAA) and keep the government funded beyond Dec. 16. The Senate has set aside much of December to pass the NDAA and reconcile any differences with the House, which passed its version earlier this year. Critical funding for hypersonic weapons research, drone defense systems, and more are critical elements of the NDAA that Congress should not punt to the next session.

The scientific community will have advocates on both appropriations committees.

Our panelists keenly highlighted that the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will all be women for the first time in history. Better yet, they’ve all been strong supporters of scientific research. On the House side, the likely chairperson will be Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and the ranking member will be Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT); meanwhile, on the Senate side, Sen. Patty Murry (D-WA) is expected to become chair and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) will be the ranking member.

The Washington state delegation could hold an outsized amount of sway.

In addition to Murray leading the Senate Appropriations Committee, her junior colleague in the Senate (Sen. Maria Cantwell) will chair the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) will likely chair the House Energy and Commerce committee. This trifecta could have significant influence on science and technology policy, bringing home hundreds of millions in funding for the state’s research universities, labs, and startups.

Changes in Democratic leadership represent a watershed moment for the party.

With Nancy Pelosi stepping down as the Democratic leader in the House after two decades, House Democrats quickly turned to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to lead the caucus through a divided Congress. ​​Jeffries will be the first Black party leader in Congress, and the change signals a new generation of leadership for the party.

H.R. 1 remains unclear.

Our panelists offered a host of ideas around what the Republican’s top legislative priority (HR 1) could entail. Some thought it would focus on spending cuts, oil and gas drilling, and a host of other items on Republican wishlights. Stimers joked that HR 1 could be a subpoena (which is probably not far from reality). Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) previously outlined the “Commitment to America” that was built around four pillars: an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future that’s built on freedom, and a government that’s accountable. While these are incredibly vague, they remain the best indicator of what a Republican policy platform will look like.

Republicans will use their new oversight powers to go after the Biden administration.

With their new majority, Republicans will use their oversight powers to make life miserable for President Joe Biden by looking into the administration’s handling of the pandemic, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Hunter Biden’s business dealings. One of the most coveted committees will be the House Oversight Committee, especially for members looking to throw bombs and get on TV. Our panelists hoped that these new powers will not lead to the politicization of science and technology policy.

Keep an eye out for new chairs and ranking members on relevant committees.

As for new leadership on committees with jurisdiction over science policy, the biggest change will likely be Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) becoming the ranking member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee since Roger Wicker will likely become the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. As mentioned, Sen. Cantwell will remain the chairperson as she did in the 117th Congress. On the House side, Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson retired, leaving room for Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) or Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) to become the ranking member in the new Congress. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) will be the chair. This game of musical chairs will likely elevate priorities like America’s role in space, our technology race with China, and the need for new breakthrough technologies to better protect the United States and our allies.

Trump will be the elephant in the room.

Our webinar was held the day after Former President Donald Trump announced that he would run for president again — launching the 2024 presidential race in the process. We all hoped that the 2024 presidential race doesn’t distract members from the job at hand and that the new Congres would continue to chart a new path for science an technology policy.

Prime Movers Lab invests in breakthrough scientific startups founded by Prime Movers, the inventors who transform billions of lives. We invest in companies reinventing energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, human augmentation, and agriculture.

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