The Week Ahead

The holidays may be over, but the weather in D.C. reminds us that winter is still here. Between the snowstorm and the funeral of Jimmy Carter, it might not seem like a lot will get done in Washington this week. However, with the start of a new Congress and the incoming Trump administration, there is still a lot to dig into. So, let’s start digging. Welcome to the Week Ahead!  

The Administration  

Former Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Brad Smith has reportedly taken a leadership role within the next administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort. CMMI has faced years of criticism that the center has failed to live up to its mandate to improve care quality and lower costs. Mr. Smith would be in a prime position to either protect the center he used to run, reform it, or help dismantle it in service of DOGE’s mission to find and eliminate spending it determines to be wasteful.  

Mr. Smith’s involvement in DOGE could also have other implications for health care policy. For example, Mr. Smith might use DOGE to look into other areas of health care, such as Medicare Advantage (MA).  MA has been under bipartisan attack in the last several years, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect given that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is set to finalize the Contract Year 2026 MA and Part D rule in the spring of 2025. 

The Senate 

The 119th Congress officially began on January 3, and at least one confirmation hearing is currently scheduled by the Armed Services Committee on January 14 to consider Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.  We expect more noms hearings to be announced for next week as the Senate looks to get as many of President-elect Trump’s cabinet members as possible confirmed by January 20.  

We also now have a full picture of the committee assignments for Republican and Democratic Senators in the 119th Congress, including the following new members:  

• Senate Finance Committee: Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

• Senate HELP Committee: Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Tim Scott (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). 

• Senate Appropriations Committee: Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA). 

The House 

President-elect Trump gave Speaker Johnson a belated Christmas gift this year when he reached out on the Speaker’s behalf to swing two defectors to support Johnson in his successful bid to retain the speakership. Speaker Johnson and his leadership team still has very slim margins to work with, especially until the special elections fill vacant seats held by Republicans heading to the administration.  

Already, it’s been reported that Speaker Johnson told members of his caucus that President-elect Trump wants to see Congress pass “one big, beautiful bill” for reconciliation instead of the two-bill strategy that the House Freedom Caucus and others have previously endorsed. Trump weighing on House matters caused quite the  headache for the Speaker to complete a government funding patch in December, so expect to see more intraparty, inter-chamber squabbling this year.  

There You Have It 

Politics often gets compared with entertainment especially in an age where members of Congress have their own podcasts. But on January 5, we saw a different kind of entertainment with the 2025 Golden Globes. Did your favorites win? Which ones surprised you? Let us know. Make it a great week!  

We all know this time of year is crazy with holiday parties, shopping for gifts, and getting ready to host or travel to see family or friends. It’s no exception in Washington, where lawmakers are racing to wrap up year-end business and prepare to transition to the new Congress and new administration. So, let’s get into it; welcome to the Week Ahead!  

The Administration 

Medicaid Waiver Race  

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is checking its list and checking it twice to find out which states will get new or amendments to existing Medicaid waivers approved before the new administration comes to town. We expect HHS to get through as many of the 37 requests from 34 states as possible, especially those the incoming Trump administration might deny. For example, both California and Washington waivers are trying to protect reproductive health and family planning services (see more at KFF). 

Trump Picks Anti-Trust Chief  

President-elect Trump has chosen Gail Slater, an aide to Vice President-elect Vance, to serve as the head of the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ms. Slater’s pick is equivalent to a lump of coal for big tech as she is known to be a foe of that sector. This division also oversees mergers and acquisitions within the health care space. Her pick indicates that the DOJ, under a second Trump administration, may crack down on big health mergers. We are still waiting for Trump’s nominee to head up the Federal Trade Commission, which will provide another clue on how his administration might handle issues related to competition in health care.  

The Senate   

NDAA Likely on Deck  

The Senate will likely begin considering the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week. With must-pass bills like the NDAA, there is always the potential for lawmakers to engage in a little gift exchange where lawmakers agree to something in the NDAA in exchange for passage of something else, like a yes vote on a government funding bill.  

Mr. Musk Comes to Washington  

Elon Musk visited with lawmakers at the Capitol on December 6 to discuss his plans for the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Among others, he met with soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), the likely incoming Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), and Senate DOGE caucus leader Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). One interesting note is that Sen. Collins said she was “impressed with his energy and dedication.” That goes a long way since Sen. Collins, who is no stranger to opposing Republican administrations if she disagrees with them, will be someone DOGE will want to keep on their good side if they want her support for cutting government spending.  

Senate Organizational Update  

As the new Congress fast approaches, we are carefully watching for updates about the Senate’s organization in 2025. We are currently looking at a two-seat majority for most of the top committees. Additionally, the Senate plans to be in session on Fridays in the 119th Congress. That is a sign that Sen. Thune and the Republican caucus have ambitious plans for their new majority.  

The House 

C.R. Coming Together  

Nothing brings Congress together like a government funding deadline right before the holidays. We expect the 118th Congress will follow the traditions of years past by passing a short-term Continuing Resolution (C.R.) to keep the lights on for the next 3 months. Expect a vote the week of December 16, giving the Senate and President Biden enough time to prevent a blue Christmas. We will also be looking for an extension of the Farm Bill, with a one-year extension looking the most likely. Fun fact: Congress last wrote a Farm Bill in 2018 (!) and has only been able to agree on extensions of that since.  

Committee News 

Both Republicans and Democrats are looking to get their committee leadership and rosters set for the 119th Congress, and the respective steering committees will soon decide the chairs and ranking members that will lead the committees in the new Congress. We are looking at new leadership at the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The race for chair is between Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), while Rep. Diane DeGette (D-CO) looks to have the Health Subcommittee ranking member position in the bag. There are also many openings on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Health Subcommittees. Assuming the overall ratios for the subcommittees remain the same; we expect 3 openings for the GOP and 4 for the Democratic party on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and 2 openings for the GOP and 1 for the Democratic party on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee.  

There You Have It 

Although things are busy at this time of year, there are many opportunities to fill your calendar with holiday cheer. Check out some of these events in the D.C. area or look into what’s happening in your community. Make it a great week!   

As President-Elect Trump builds out his forthcoming second administration, the changing colors of the leaves and cooler temperatures aren’t the only signs of change this autumn. Washington is still reeling from some surprising picks, such as former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1) for Attorney General, Robert Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human services, and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.  But this Congress and administration aren’t done yet – there is still a lot to track in Washington. So, let’s get into it. Welcome to the Week Ahead!  

The Administration 

As President Biden plans for the end of his term (and pardons his last turkey), his administration is focused on immigration and reproductive health care. At this point, however, there is not much that they can do beyond messaging.  

But that doesn’t mean everything is quiet on health care.  

• On November 15, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) published its intent to extend  telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2025. 

• We are also waiting for the proposed Contract Year 2026 Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Benefit, and Medicare Cost Plan rule.  Expect this one in December. Biden has made addressing concerns about prior authorization in Medicare Advantage a priority and this has also garnered bipartisan interest on Capitol Hill. So, this is definitely an issue to watch for in the new year.   

The Senate  

Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) wants Congress to focus on wrapping up funding for fiscal year 2025. She noted that congressional leaders need to reach a topline spending agreement by November 22 in order for final bill language to be drafted, reviewed, and passed before the current funding deadline of December 20.  Yes, even with all the effort so far, it takes that long! Can Congress come together this week or will they punt the decision once again? 

One thing we do know is that the Senate will be working through a long list of judicial nominees. Senate Democrats want to fill as many openings as possible before the Senate and the White House come under GOP control.  As of November 17, 2024, there are 45 total vacancies across the court system, with 15 nominations pending. How many can they get across the finish line?  

The House 

House Republicans held their leadership elections on November 13 with no big surprises. It looks like House Democrats are largely set to follow suit on November 19. Watch the race for chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee as Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) is challenging current chair Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6).  Whoever ends up with the job will have their hands full in determining how the party will message for the next 2 years in the minority.  

Another thing to watch for is if President-Elect Trump is done picking House members from the already thin GOP majority to serve in his administration. Even though the members he has picked so far are generally seen as being from safe GOP districts, special elections can be unpredictable.  

In addition to counting their members, House GOP leadership is certainly going to be listening for any clues from President-Elect Trump about what he wants in terms of year-end government funding and appropriations deals. Any statements from Trump could have a major impact on how the House GOP decides to move forward.  

There You Have it 

If you can believe it, next Thursday is Thanksgiving! Check out this website if you are interested in reading up the history of the Holiday. Make it a great week!