Washington Round-up - November 2016 Election Results Update
Bryan Cave Election 2016 Wrap-Up - 115th Congress To Be Most Diverse (added to website November 10, 2016)
A highly contentious presidential campaign, coupled with questions about the control of Congress, made the 2016 election cycle one of the most closely followed in recent history. Although unsuccessful in her bid for the White House, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became the first woman to become a major party presidential nominee. When the 115th Congress convenes in January, there will be 109 women (including five delegates) serving in the Senate and the House.
The Senate will remain in Republican control and, as of press time, will include 51 Republicans and 47 Democrats when it convenes in January. The number of women elected this year, 21, represents a net increase over the previous record of 20, and includes five Republicans and 15 Democrats. The race between Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) currently remains too close to call.
In addition to incumbent Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty Murray (D-WA), who won their reelection bids, three newly elected Senators will serve in the next Congress: Sens.-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).
California will continue to be represented by two women Senators, as Sen.-elect Harris will replace Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who retired at the end of the 114th Congress. Regardless of the outcome in New Hampshire, it, along with Washington State, also will continue to be represented by two women in the Senate.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), the longest-serving woman in congressional history, retired at the end of the 114th Congress. With her retirement and Rep. Donna Edwards’ (D-MD) loss in the primary election, Maryland will be without a woman in its congressional delegation for the first time since Sen. Mikulski’s election to the House in 1977.
Republicans also will maintain control of the House, with a 239-193 advantage. Eighty-eight women (including the delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will serve in the House in January, the same number as served in the 114th Congress. This number includes 23 Republicans and 65 Democrats.
Eleven women retired, lost their primaries, or left the House to pursue another office at the end of the 114th Congress. Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) retired from Congress, while Reps. Corrine Brown (D-FL), Edwards, and Renee Ellmers (R-NC) lost their primary bids. Rep. Gwen Graham (D- FL) left to pursue state office; Reps. Janice Hahn (D-CA) and Candice Miller (R-MI) left to pursue other elected offices. Rep. Duckworth will serve in the Senate; Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) were unsuccessful their Senate elections.
The 115th Congress will be the most diverse in the nation’s history, in part because women of color will increase their ranks in each chamber. Sen.-elect Harris will become the first South Asian and second African American woman to serve in the Senate, while Sen.-elect Cortez Masto will become the first Latina elected to the Senate. Sen.-elect Duckworth will join Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) as the only two Asian American women in the Senate.
In the House, Rep.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) will become the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress. Along with Rep.-elect Val Demings (D-FL), the number of African American women in the House will remain at 20 with the departures of Reps. Brown and Edwards.
Nine Latinas served in the 114th Congress. That number will increase to ten in January when Rep.-elect Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Del.-elect Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR) are sworn in and Rep. Sánchez leaves office.
The election of Reps.-elect Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Stephanie Murphy (D- FL) will bring the number of Asian/Pacific American women in the House to eight once Sen.-elect Duckworth is sworn into the Senate. Six Asian/Pacific American women served in the 114th Congress. Rep.-elect Jayapal will become the first South Asian woman elected to the House of Representatives.
Women Newly Elected to the Senate
Sen.-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) defeated incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL). A member of the Illinois National Guard, Sen.-elect Duckworth was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012. She previously served as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs and has been an advocate for veterans, quality child care, and family leave policies.
Sen.-elect Kamala Harris (D-CA) defeated Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) for the seat vacated by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The former attorney general of California is the first South Asian and second African American woman to serve in the Senate. She has been an advocate for increased access to health care and closing the gender wage gap.
Sen.-elect Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) defeated Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) for the seat vacated by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). She formerly served as attorney general in Nevada, working to prevent sex trafficking and violence against women. Sen.-elect Cortez Masto is the first Latina elected to the Senate and supports equal pay for women.
Women Newly Elected to the House of Representatives
Rep.-elect Nanette Barragán (D-CA) defeated Isadore Hall, III (R) for the seat vacated by Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA). A former aide to President Bill Clinton, Rep.-elect Barragán was the first Latina elected to the Hermosa Beach City Council. She is an advocate for increasing the number of women in Congress and closing the gender wage gap.
Rep.-elect Liz Cheney (R-WY) defeated Ryan Greene (D) for the seat vacated by Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R- WY). Rep.-elect Cheney is a former State Department attorney responsible for Middle East policy and currently serves on the International Board of Advisors for the University of Wyoming. She supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Del.-elect Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR) defeated several candidates for the seat once held by incumbent Del. Pedro Pierluisi (R). In 2002, Del.-elect González Colón became the youngest woman ever elected to the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly. She previously was the youngest woman to serve as House Speaker and currently serves as Minority Leader.
Rep.-elect Val Demings (D-FL) defeated Thuy Lowe (R) for the seat once held by Rep. Daniel Webster (R- FL). A former social worker, Rep.-elect Demings joined the Orlando Police Department and rose through the ranks to become the city’s first female chief of police. She supports Social Security and Medicare, increased funding for STEM education, and improving public schools.
Rep.-elect Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) defeated Shirlene Ostrov (R) for the seat once held by the late Rep. Mark Takai (D-HI). Rep.-elect Hanabusa first was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 after serving in the Hawaii State Senate. She is an advocate for equal pay, veterans, and increased funding for health care.
Rep.-elect Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) defeated Brady Walkinshaw (D) for the seat vacated by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA). She is a member of the Washington State Senate, where she has advocated for increased services for victims of domestic violence, eliminating the statute of limitations on reporting sexual assault, and improved tracking and testing of rape kits.
Rep.-elect Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) defeated incumbent Rep. John Mica (R-FL). A professor at Rollins College, Rep.-elect Murphy previously was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as a national security specialist in the office of the Secretary of Defense. She is an advocate for women- and minority-owned businesses, paid family and medical leave, and affordable child care.
Rep.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) defeated Hans Reigle (R) for the seat vacated by Rep. John Carney (D-DE). Rep.-elect Blunt Rochester previously served as Delaware State Secretary of Labor and Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services. She supports improved access to, and quality of, women’s health care, and is the first woman and African American to represent Delaware in Congress.
Rep.-elect Jacky Rosen (D-NV) defeated Danny Tarkanian (R) for the seat vacated by Rep. Joe Heck (R- NV). She previously worked as a software developer and computer programmer for several corporations. Rep.-elect Rosen served as president of Congregation Ner Tamid, and supports equal pay for women and promoting girls’ interest in STEM education.
Rep.-elect Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) defeated incumbent Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH). Before her first election to Congress in 2006, Rep.-elect Shea-Porter worked as a social worker and community college instructor. She also worked for the presidential campaigns for retired General Wesley Clark and then- Sen. John Kerry. She supports equal pay legislation, veterans, and increasing access to health care.
Rep.-elect Claudia Tenney (R-NY) defeated Kim Myers (D) for the seat vacated by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY). A publisher and businesswoman, Rep.-elect Tenney previously worked for the Consulate General of Yugoslavia. She has served in the New York State Assembly since 2010, and supports repealing the Affordable Care Act and reforms to provide veterans and military families proper and timely care.
AST & Impact of Election Results - Keeping Our Eye On Opportunities & Challenges as a New White House and Congress Prepare for 2017
Yesterday's U.S. elections were closely watched in the United States and around the world. November 8, 2016 will go down in the record books as one of the biggest upsets in modern political history. Defying all national projections and political polling, Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. On Capitol Hill, Republicans maintained their majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
What Happened Yesterday?
Yesterday, all 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, one-third of the U.S. Senate and White House faced the American electorate. Less than 24 hours later:
* President-Elect Donald Trump secured 279 electoral votes compared to Secretary Hillary Clinton's 228 votes.
* U.S. Senate Republicans maintained their majority status securing 51 seats to the Democrats 45 Members. 1 race is currently too close to call in New Hampshire as well as a run-off in Louisiana. Additionally there remains 2 Independent members of the Senate.
* Within the U.S. House of Representatives Democrats picked up additional seats. However, the Republicans will continue to control the House majority with 240 members compared to the Democrat's 195.
* On the Gubernatorial front Republicans added to their ranks by adding 3 new Governors for a total of 33 Republicans and 14 Democrats.
AST Champions in Senate & House Are Re-Elected
On a very positive note, all of the AST champions in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (except for one) were re-elected and are returning to Capitol Hill in 2017.
This year's election will have a variety of implications for many industry sectors in addition to a very specific focus on healthcare and repeal of the ACA. The shifting political landscape will also likely have an impact on the field of solid organ transplantation.....and it will be imperative for the Society to continue to be involved at all levels of policy-making.
U.S. Senate Will Play Important Role
Although most eyes were turned towards the Presidential race, a variety of U.S. Senate races also drew significant attention. But at the end of the day, Republicans prevailed and capitalized on opportunities to maintain their majority control of the Senate....something they gained in the 2014 midterm Elections.
Senate majority not only gives the GOP more votes on the Floor, it also gives them power to decide what legislation goes to the Floor and Chairmanship of all committees, the ability to block/advance the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives from sending their bills to the President, and the power to confirm a Supreme Court Justice.
With Donald Trump winning the race for President, his ability (and that of the U.S. Congress) to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and advance an alternative healthcare agenda will likely rest squarely on the shoulders of the U.S. Senate.
It was no surprise the Republican Party was able to maintain majority in the U.S. House, and their leadership and Members have made no secret about their aspirations to repeal most of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Therefore, the Republican controlled Senate will be responsible for blocking/forwarding these attempts to get their legislation on the President's desk, while also advancing their own legislation.
Healthcare To Be A Focus In 2017
Healthcare issues to watch in the new Congress will, of course, focus continued attention on repeal of the ACA while also zeroing in on more specific patient care, coverage and provider issues.
For the American Society of Transplantation (AST), a new Administration and 115th Congress will require continued policy, legislative and regulatory work to educate new lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the White House and federal agency political appointees.
As AST has been active for many years in Congress, the Society was particularly encouraged to see many of its policymaking friends re-elected.
With only 71 days until the Presidential Inauguration, a new White House Administration will soon set about the business of selecting political appointees as well as establishing Cabinet and Agency agendas & priorities. Additionally, the current pre-election U.S. Congress will convene its "Lame Duck" session beginning this Monday, November 14, 2016.
Given yesterday's election results, it is imperative for organizations to hit the ground running to educate and define themselves as well as their public policy priorities early in 2017 to the new White House and U.S. Congress.
With so much on the line in the 115th Congress, AST member involvement and the work of the Government Relations Committee in the policy realm will be more important than ever. ...
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* Bryan Cave Election Update *
Yesterday, Americans elected Donald Trump be their next President. The end of the nastiest Presidential campaign in memory marks the beginning of a 240-year old process spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. The Electoral College will meet in December to cast the votes that will formally elect the President, then those votes will be counted in Congress on January 6, 2017, two weeks before the President-elect takes the oath of office to begin his four year term.
Republican businessman Donald Trump has shocked the world, and many in his own political party, by winning the Presidency on the back of a strong populist campaign and a wave of anti-establishment sentiment crashing across America. While Trump has been a household name in the U.S. for many years by virtue of his eponymous business ventures and presence on primetime television, he is much less a well-known quantity in political and policy circles.
Trump’s success in the Republican primary was built on his brash personality and taking a strong, unapologetic stances on issues such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and illegal immigration. Many in Washington, DC look for Trump to follow through on these issues by seeking repeal of the ACA coupled with significant immigration reforms early in his term. Conservatives may not universally love Trump but they are emboldened by the likely return of a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump has also indicated he will look to the private sector where possible to fill out his cabinet.
America’s upper chamber of Congress will remain in Republican control, although with a slightly reduced majority. The loss of only one or two seats means Republicans may see their two seat majority on most Senate committees reduced to a single seat in some instances. That’s a small price to pay, however, as Republicans will keep the committee chairmanships that allow them to hold hearings on Trump’s nominees to presidential cabinet posts and the Supreme Court. The committee chairmen also get first crack at writing legislation to implement the President’s agenda, which will attract much attention as Trump fleshes out his policy proposals in the coming weeks and months.
American voters also returned a Republican majority to the U.S. House of Representatives. Current U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is expected to seek the gavel again when House Republicans meet next week to elect their leaders in the next Congress. Many of the current Committee Chairmen in the House will keep their gavels, with a few notable exceptions. Party rules will require a new chairman on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare, energy, and other industry sectors.
Keep Up To Date with Developments
Bryan Cave’s government relations & public policy team will continue to follow the twists and turns of this remarkable election, analyse results, assist clients in understanding the implications and developing strategies for continued success.