As the 120th Congress approaches, our Key Players in Policy Orbits analysis identifies the Members most likely to shape legislative priorities, negotiations, and outcomes. The analysis assesses congressional leadership, influential policy voices, and emerging Members while accounting for potential shifts in congressional composition following the midterm elections. Paired with our weekly-updated Musical Chairs project, it provides a forward-looking framework for understanding how changes in congressional control and membership could affect the policy landscape.
Read MoreCheck out our most current iterations of our House Committee “Musical Chairs” and Senate Committee “Musical Chairs” in anticipation of the 120th Congress. These analyses show a possible projection of committee spots that could be vacant, Members and Senators that may be at risk of getting bumped from committees, and Members and Senators that may have to give up their committee spots due to certain rules.
Read MoreThe U.S. trade landscape is entering a new phase following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the administration’s use of IEEPA to impose broad tariffs. As the White House turns to narrower authorities such as Sections 301, 232, and 338, Congress is increasingly seeking to reclaim its role in trade policy. Meanwhile, bilateral trade agreements and the growing intersection of trade and national security are creating a more complex environment for businesses. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the balance between executive authority and Congressional oversight could further shape the future of U.S. trade policy.
Read MoreLast November, we examined the Democratic victories in the 2025 off-year elections through the lens of three defining characteristics—affordability, accessibility, and authenticity—arguing that candidates who successfully connected with voters on these dimensions outperformed expectations regardless of their ideological positioning. As the 2026 primary season has unfolded, those themes have remained remarkably durable. At the same time, we have observed two additional characteristics emerging among successful Democratic candidates: accountability, as campaigns channel voter frustration with corruption and political dysfunction into a call for reform, and ambition, as candidates embrace bold ideas and generational change to distinguish themselves from the political establishment.
Read MoreThe Trump Administration released the 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda over the July 4 holiday. As the administration releases these regulatory insights, we are routinely reviewing them and analyzing the Unified Agenda as part of our ongoing effort to help clients anticipate the administration’s regulatory priorities and incorporate upcoming rulemakings into their advocacy and business strategies. The most recent iteration of the Unified Agenda provides an overview of the administration's continued emphasis on deregulation, permitting reform, domestic manufacturing, procurement modernization, and other policy priorities expected to shape the federal regulatory landscape over the coming year.
Read MorePlurus Strategies announced the promotion of Varunavee Mohanraj to Policy Analyst and the return of Jessica Fernandez as Legislative Assistant, strengthening the firm's capacity to deliver strategic counsel, legislative intelligence, and advocacy support as clients prepare for the lame duck session and the 120th Congress.
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