119th Congress Outlook: United States Senate

119th Congress Outlook: United States Senate 

Republicans Take Majority –Senator John Thune (R-SD) Elected Senate Majority Leader 

As the Senate transitions to Republican control, the 119th Congress is expected to pursue an ambitious conservative agenda. Legislative priorities will likely emphasize national security, economic growth, energy independence, and the promotion of fiscal discipline across federal programs, closely aligned with the GOP’s guiding principles. 

In today’s leadership election, Senate Republicans selected Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as the new Majority Leader. This choice signals the party’s commitment to advancing a unified policy agenda grounded in conservative values and reflective of priorities established during the Trump administration’s previous term. 

This memo details the anticipated objectives for each Senate committee under Republican leadership, emphasizing alignment with President-elect Trump’s America First agenda. Committees are expected to focus on significant legislative efforts in areas critical to national security, border protection, economic expansion, healthcare reform, and regulatory relief. Additionally, the new Senate majority is likely to advance policies in sectors crucial to U.S. strategic interests, including critical minerals, energy independence, transportation and infrastructure modernization, and cybersecurity, all aimed at enhancing the nation’s resilience and global competitiveness. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune 

Senator John Thune (R-SD) has held multiple leadership roles in the U.S. Senate, including serving as the Senate Majority Whip and currently as the Senate Minority Whip. As Whip, Thune plays a key role in shaping his party’s legislative strategy, counting votes, and ensuring party cohesion on key issues. 

Thune entered the Senate in 2005 after a notable victory over incumbent Democratic Senator and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), marking a historic win as it was the first time a sitting party leader had lost re-election in over half a century. Prior to his time in the Senate, Thune served three terms in the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003. Before his congressional career, Thune held positions in state politics and served in the Reagan administration, where he gained experience in public policy and federal affairs. 

The Senate Majority Leader, elected by the majority party’s senators, is responsible for setting the legislative agenda, managing floor proceedings, and representing the majority party’s interests in the Senate. This role includes scheduling debates, guiding legislation, and coordinating party strategies. Since the formal establishment of the position in the early 20th century, there have been 16 individuals who have served as Senate Majority Leader. 

Appropriations Committee 
Presumptive Chair – Susan Collins (R-ME) 

Under Republican leadership, the Senate Appropriations Committee will prioritize fiscal discipline. It will implement Trump’s budgetary policy goals by reducing federal spending, reallocating resources to priority areas, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are directed toward programs aligned with conservative values. Anticipated reductions will target areas perceived as inefficient, duplicative, or misaligned with the Trump administration’s priorities. This approach reflects a broader commitment to fiscal restraint, reinforcing a budget that limits the size and scope of the federal government. 

A primary target for budget reductions will be non-defense discretionary spending, including education, environmental programs, health research, and social welfare initiatives. The committee will likely propose cuts to programs administered by the Department of Education, favoring a shift in responsibilities to state and local governments. This could involve reducing funding for federal education grants that support programs such as Title I for low-income students and Pell Grants, intending to foster greater independence for state-level education funding and promote school choice alternatives such as charter schools and vouchers. 

Lastly, the Appropriations Committee will emphasize reducing administrative overhead across federal agencies, aligning with Trump’s agenda of shrinking the federal bureaucracy. This could involve consolidating offices, reducing staff, and implementing efficiency initiatives that streamline agency operations. By cutting administrative budgets, the committee will encourage agencies to operate with leaner staffing models and adopt cost-saving measures, reinforcing a fiscally conservative approach to government operations. 

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs   
Presumptive Chair – Tim Scott (R-SC)   

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to advance Trump’s economic agenda through deregulation, housing reform, financial innovation, and market stability. It will focus on reducing federal intervention, expanding affordable housing, and promoting U.S. leadership in digital finance. 

Housing reform will focus on affordability and supply by encouraging private-sector investment rather than increasing federal subsidies. Tax incentives for low- and middle-income housing developers and relaxed zoning and regulatory restrictions aim to address affordability without expanding federal spending. 

The committee will focus on developing a regulatory framework for digital assets, fostering innovation and making the U.S. a hub for cryptocurrency. It aims to clarify regulatory roles between the SEC and CFTC, reduce uncertainty, and avoid overly restrictive rules while enhancing transparency and anti-money laundering standards. A primary focus will be creating a regulatory structure for exchanges and digital platforms, protecting investors without stifling growth. 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation  
Presumptive Chair – Ted Cruz (R-TX)  

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will be positioned to advance Trump’s priorities in technology, infrastructure, regulatory reform, aviation, and science policy. The committee’s efforts will reflect a pro-business, market-driven approach to bolster American competitiveness in transportation and technology while reducing federal regulatory barriers. 

The committee will significantly emphasize deregulating the aviation industry to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and improve passenger services. The committee will likely advocate for reforms that streamline Federal Aviation Administration regulatory processes, allowing quicker approval of new technologies and operational models in commercial and private aviation. 

The committee will aim to strengthen U.S. leadership in emerging technologies to counter the advances of global competitors. In space policy, Republicans consistently have supported strengthening NASA’s capabilities, aligning with Trump’s advocacy for lunar exploration initiatives. Under Senator Cruz’s leadership, the committee will likely advocate for increased support for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a precursor to Mars exploration. 

Energy and Natural Resources Committee   
Presumptive Chair – John Barrasso (R-WY) 

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will pursue Trump’s vision of American energy dominance by expanding domestic energy production, reducing bureaucratic delays, and revising restrictive environmental regulations. Streamlining permitting, expediting reviews, and increasing offshore drilling will be central to ensuring the U.S. reduces its reliance on foreign energy sources. 

A top priority will be overhauling the permitting process for energy infrastructure, aiming for faster approvals through comprehensive reform that establishes a single lead agency and reduces redundant reviews. NEPA review durations will also be limited, expediting project approvals and providing regulatory certainty to attract private investment. 

Environmental regulations that burden fossil fuel production will likely be revised, targeting specific Clean Air and Water Act provisions. By reducing these restrictions, the committee aims to lower consumer energy costs and increase domestic production. The committee will also shift renewable energy support toward a market-driven approach, advocating for a phased reduction in subsidies for solar and wind, allowing renewables to compete equally with fossil fuels. 

Environment and Public Works    
Presumptive Chair – Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)   

Under Republican leadership, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee will advance a pro-growth agenda aligned with President Trump’s priorities, focusing on streamlined environmental regulation, resource development, infrastructure modernization, and a pragmatic approach to climate policy. The committee will be critical in promoting Trump’s vision of balancing economic growth with responsible environmental stewardship. Senatorial leadership will prioritize reduced regulatory burdens, the advancement of infrastructure projects, and improvements to federal permitting processes that enable American industry and infrastructure to thrive without unnecessary federal intervention. 

The EPW Committee’s primary legislative initiative will be the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, which will fund federal highway, transit, and rail programs. The committee will push for a robust reauthorization bill focused on infrastructure expansion and modernization, reducing delays in environmental reviews by setting NEPA review deadlines and simplifying federal-state agency coordination. Funding flexibility will allow states greater control over spending, particularly in rural areas where enhanced connectivity is crucial for growth. 

Beyond transportation, the committee will seek to expedite permitting for infrastructure projects through a “one agency, one decision” model, designating a lead agency to streamline reviews and reduce delays. It will also pursue reforms to the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to ease compliance costs, especially for rural areas, while respecting environmental protections. 

Finance Committee   
Presumptive Chair – Mike Crapo (R-ID)  

The Senate Finance Committee will play a crucial role in advancing the Trump administration’s economic agenda, with a primary focus on growth-oriented tax reform that builds on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Key objectives include further tax cuts for businesses and high-income individuals, extending individual tax cuts to prevent tax increases for middle- and upper-income earners, and sustaining relief aimed at supporting small businesses and middle-class families to enhance disposable incomes, consumer spending, and long-term growth. 

In corporate tax policy, while the TCJA’s reduction of the corporate tax rate to 21% is already permanent, the committee will advocate for making full expensing of capital investments permanent to encourage sustained domestic investment in manufacturing and technology, bolstering U.S. infrastructure, manufacturing, and job creation in line with Trump’s industrial revitalization goals. 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)   
Presumptive Chair – Bill Cassidy (R-LA)   

The Senate HELP Committee is poised to advance President Trump’s agenda by focusing on healthcare reform, educational policy, labor regulations, and public health initiatives. The committee’s actions will be instrumental in shaping policies that align with conservative principles, emphasizing deregulation, state autonomy, and market-driven solutions. Senator Cassidy, a doctor, has advocated evidence-based healthcare policies. He has emphasized the importance of vaccinations in preventing disease outbreaks and supported initiatives to increase public confidence in vaccines. 

A primary objective of the HELP Committee will be “repealing and replacing” the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The committee will advocate for legislation that reduces federal involvement in healthcare, promotes competition among insurers, and provides states with greater flexibility to manage Medicaid programs. This approach aims to lower healthcare costs and increase access to care through market-driven mechanisms. 

Public health could be a significant focus, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee will evaluate the performance of agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, seeking reforms to improve responsiveness and efficiency. There will be an emphasis on preparedness for future health crises, including developing rapid vaccine production capabilities and strengthening the Strategic National Stockpile. 

Homeland Security & Governmental Oversight Committee   
Presumptive Chair – Rand Paul (R-KY) 

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will be a central force in advancing President Trump’s policies on AI, cybersecurity, and immigration enforcement. With a strong focus on defending American sovereignty and securing the nation from both digital and physical threats, the committee will work closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies to implement a cohesive approach to national security that reflects Trump’s vision of “America First.” 

The committee will seek significant authority to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border through multi-layered security, focusing on physical barriers, advanced surveillance, drones, and AI-powered monitoring for a “virtual wall.” To reinforce federal immigration efforts, the committee will likely work with DHS to enforce state and local compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, potentially conditioning federal grants on adherence to immigration laws, underscoring a commitment to upholding federal law. 

Finally, the committee will focus on preventing overstays and unauthorized employment by strengthening E-Verify requirements for employers to reduce job incentives for undocumented immigrants. A comprehensive visa overhaul will prioritize skilled, high-value immigrants, aligning with Trump’s merit-based immigration philosophy and reforming the H-1B visa to better support our economic needs.