Archive: Previewing the 116th Congress
Note: As of early January, with the 116th Congress underway, this preview page will no longer be updated.
Democrats will take control of the House and Republicans will have an expanded majority in the Senate when the new Congress convenes in January 2019. This page houses CQ coverage of what to expect.
CQ's 2019 congressional calendar is here.
Preliminary committee rosters are here.
Profiles of new senators and House members may be found here. Election results are here.
A PDF of CQ Magazine's 100-page Guide to the New Congress is here.
Jump to
Overview
CQ Roll Call news stories
- Divided Government Will Pose an Obstacle to Lawmaking in 2019 Jan. 3
- Pelosi Names New House Clerk Dec. 28
- House Democratic Leadership Skews More Progressive, Diverse Dec. 4
- Pelosi Wins Democratic Caucus Nomination for Speaker Nov. 28
- Proponents of a Stronger Congress Seek a Major Makeover Nov. 26
- Rep. Fudge Foregoes Speaker Bid, Throws Support to Pelosi Nov. 20
- In Speaker Bid, Pelosi Is Confident Amid Democratic Revolt Nov. 15
- New House GOP Rules Strip Leadership From Indicted Members Nov. 15
- McCarthy Wins House GOP Top Post, Senate Leaders Return Nov. 14
- House GOP Set to Re-Elect Leadership After Losing Majority Nov. 14
- Both Legislating and Investigating Will Be Tough Nov. 12
- Will a Divided Congress Be Able to Work With Trump? Nov. 12
- The Women Are Marching in, Looking to Make a Mark Nov. 12
- With an Ambitious Policy Agenda, Pelosi is Poised to Lead the House Again Nov. 12
- In the Senate, the 'Resist Caucus' Prepares for 2020 Nov. 12
- Demographics of the 116th Congress (As of Nov. 9) Nov. 12
- Divided 116th Congress Unlikely to Yield 80's-Style Dealmaking Nov. 7
- Democrats Take House Majority; GOP Retains Senate Nov. 6
Impact on Committees
Following are reports regarding committee leadership, membership and big-picture agendas. Subsequent sections (Appropriations and Budget, etc.) include stories on how the next Congress is expected to deal with those policy areas.
Unofficial Committee Rosters:
Senate rosters are here. Only some House rosters have been released.
House Committees (Nov. 12) : Agriculture | Appropriations | Armed Services | Budget | Education and the Workforce | Energy and Commerce | Ethics | Financial Services | Foreign Affairs | Homeland Security | House Administration | Intelligence | Judiciary | Natural Resources | Oversight and Government Reform | Rules | Science, Space and Technology | Small Business | Transportation and Infrastructure | Veterans' Affairs | Ways and Means
Senate Committees (Nov. 12) : Aging | Agriculture | Appropriations | Armed Services | Banking | Budget | Commerce, Science and Transportation | Energy and Natural Resources | Environment and Public Works | Ethics | Finance | Foreign Relations | Health, Education, Labor and Pensions | Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs | Indian Affairs | Intelligence | Judiciary | Rules and Administration | Small Business | Veterans' Affairs
CQ Roll Call news stories
- Castor: Select Climate Panel Could Use Legislative Power Dec. 21
- Castor Says She Has Been Asked to Lead New Climate Panel Dec. 20
- House Foreign Affairs Plans to Add Investigations Subcommittee Dec. 19
- Calvert Seeking Top House GOP Slot on Defense Appropriations Dec. 13
- Pelosi Announces Recommended Chairmen for New Congress Dec. 11
- Manchin Gets Nod to Lead Democrats on Energy Committee Dec. 11
- Colleagues Weigh Pro-Coal Manchin as Top Democrat on Energy Dec. 7
- Granger Gets Formal Blessing to Be Top GOP House Appropriator Nov. 30
- Granger Selected as New Top Republican on House Appropriations Nov. 29
- Delicate Negotiations Ahead Over Senate Committee Ratios, Seats Nov. 26
- Graham Poised to Lead Judiciary Committee Nov. 16
- Grassley to Return to Finance Chairmanship Next Year Nov. 16
- Tight Race for Top House GOP Appropriations Slot Is On Nov. 15
- Grassley Chairmanship Decision Coming 'In A Few Days' Nov. 14
- After Getting Heat, Pelosi Pledges Restoration of Climate Panel Nov. 13
- Departures From Senate Committees (As of Nov. 9) Nov. 12
- Departures From House Committees (As of Nov. 9) Nov. 12
- Who's in Charge? A Look at Expected Committee Leaders Nov. 7
Administration Oversight
Appropriations and Budget
CQ Roll Call news stories
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Appropriations and Budget Jan. 3
- Rules Package Would Renew 'Gephardt Rule,' With a Major Twist Jan. 2
- Proposed Return of Deficit Rule Sparks House Democratic Unrest Jan. 2
- Calvert Seeking Top House GOP Slot on Defense Appropriations Dec. 13
- Granger Gets Formal Blessing to Be Top GOP House Appropriator Nov. 30
- Granger Selected as New Top Republican on House Appropriations Nov. 29
- Tight Race for Top House GOP Appropriations Slot Is On Nov. 15
- House Democrats Pitch Return of Automatic Debt Limit Increase Nov. 15
- NIH Increases in House Could Depend on Higher Allocations Nov. 8
- Lowey Wants Spending Deal, But Won't Back Down on Priorities Nov. 7
Defense and Foreign Policy
CQ Roll Call news stories
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Defense Jan. 3
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Foreign Policy Jan. 3
- House Foreign Affairs Plans to Add Investigations Subcommittee Dec. 19
- Calvert Seeking Top House GOP Slot on Defense Appropriations Dec. 13
- Next Armed Services Chairman Presses Trump on Border Mission Nov. 26
- Democrats Outline Plans to Check Trump on Nukes Nov. 14
- Democrats Could Target New Nuclear Weapons in Next Congress Nov. 9
- Same Tone, New Priorities on House Armed Services Next Year Nov. 7
- Foreign Policy Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
- Military Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
Economy, Taxes and Trade
Energy, Agriculture and Transport
CQ Roll Call news stories
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Environment Jan. 3
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Infrastructure Jan. 3
- Castor: Select Climate Panel Could Use Legislative Power Dec. 21
- Castor Says She Has Been Asked to Lead New Climate Panel Dec. 20
- Grijalva Mulls Changes to Conservation Fund Bill Next Year Dec. 20
- Grijalva: Natural Resources Panel Not Finished With Zinke Yet Dec. 20
- Manchin Faces Early Test in Confirmation of Zinke Replacement Dec. 17
- Can Democrats Deal With the Progressives' Green New Deal? Dec. 13
- Manchin Gets Nod to Lead Democrats on Energy Committee Dec. 11
- Colleagues Weigh Pro-Coal Manchin as Top Democrat on Energy Dec. 7
- Cracks on Display as Democrats Plan for Climate Action Nov. 16
- After Getting Heat, Pelosi Pledges Restoration of Climate Panel Nov. 13
- Midterms Wipe Out Nearly Half of Climate Caucus' GOP Members Nov. 8
- Transportation Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
- Driverless Car Bills Could See Changes in New Congress Nov. 7
- Energy Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
- Environmental Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
- Farm Bill Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
Health and Entitlements
CQ Roll Call news stories
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Health Care Jan. 3
- Democrats Plan Vote to Join Texas Health Lawsuit Jan. 2
- Democrats to Use House Rules Package to Challenge SNAP Changes Jan. 2
- Pro-Choice Caucus Preps for Democratic Majority Dec. 5
- Doctors Join Democrats in Call for Action on Gun Violence Bill Nov. 29
- Grassley's Move Could Bolster Drug Price Efforts Nov. 20
- Democrats Weigh Path Forward on 'Medicare-for-All' Nov. 19
- Democrats Plan Vote to Defend Pre-Existing Condition Safeguards Nov. 15
- Democrats to Keep Health Care in Spotlight Nov. 13
- NIH Increases in House Could Depend on Higher Allocations Nov. 8
- Health Care Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7
Homeland Security and Immigration
Lobbying, Ethics and Congressional Affairs
CQ Roll Call news stories
- 2019 Legislative Preview: Campaign Finance and Lobbying Jan. 3
- Voting Rights Piece May Take More Time in Ethics Overhaul Dec. 6
- House Democrats Craft Ethics Overhaul Package for January Nov. 28
- Delicate Negotiations Ahead Over Senate Committee Ratios, Seats Nov. 26
- Ethics and Lobbying Issues in the 116th Congress Nov. 7