Explore Sections
Executive Summary House Senate Key Dates State & Local Take Action
ARTBA_Papercraft_WordPress_10s

New Congress.
Unchanged Priorities.

2026 ARTBA Election Brief

Start

Executive Summary

What the 2026 Midterm Election Outcome Means for Transportation

YouTube video

What Happened

The long-term, historical trend of losses by the party in the White House continued. Democrats won a majority in both chambers, the first time in 20 years this has happened for either party. Votes are still being counted in dozens of races, but the Democrats' majorities are strong enough to insulate against disruptions caused by polarizing voices within their own party.

section-track

Select each takeaway to explore ARTBA’s first take on how these developments may affect ARTBA’s advocacy efforts.


  • "Lame Duck" Session

    Congress will convene its “lame duck” session Nov. 9. The current extension of the federal highway and transit programs, as well as the continuing resolution funding the federal government, will expire Dec. 11. During this final session of the outgoing Congress, ARTBA’s top priority remains reversing the $13.5 billion in cuts to highway and transit programs that are part of this extension.


  • 100+ New Members of Congress

    The incoming Congress will feature at least 18 new senators and up to 100 new members of the House, making this one of the largest freshman classes in recent history. As always, ARTBA will be meeting with all their offices after they are sworn in on January 3.

    However, these newly elected officials are already hearing from countless stakeholders, some with competing priorities. Your engagement with them at home and in Washington, D.C. is essential to ensure they understand how the pending highway and transit program reauthorization impacts communities and how continued delays impact safety, mobility and economic growth.


  • Bipartisanship Required

    Despite significant Democratic wins, bipartisanship will still be required to legislate. Senate Democrats will not meet their chamber’s 60-vote threshold to overcome the filibuster and advance legislation. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has a history of reaching consensus on reauthorization legislation. This underscores ARTBA’s ongoing commitment to bipartisan policies and political activities to advance industry priorities.


  • Key Members Leaving Congress

    Several members of Congress integral to the passage of the 2021 infrastructure law are leaving Congress, including Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and in the House, Republican supporters Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.). Growing our roster of champions on Capitol Hill will be a top priority in the coming months.


  • New House T&I Chair

    Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the likely next chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, has pledged to continue working in a bipartisan way. He plans to use the BUILD America 250 Act, which advanced through committee nearly unanimously, as a foundation for new legislation when the process starts anew in January.


  • President Donald Trump

    It remains to be seen if President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats will seek common ground on transportation issues, or if the President will embrace his veto authority.

What Happened

Democrats won the majority of seats in the House, and more than 70 new freshman members will be sworn in on January 3rd—the largest freshman class since 1992.

Dozens of seats are still awaiting an official call.

Just three Republicans supporters of the 2021 infrastructure law will be sworn in next Congress: Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) , Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), and Chris Smith (R-N.J.).

section-track

What it Means

Expect new leadership atop key committees and in party leadership. Current top Republican Mike Johnson (R-La.) will not run and Rep. Hakeem Jeffires (D-N.Y.) is widely expected to become House Speaker. Committee chairs will also change hands, but Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the anticipated chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, is committed to taking on a bipartisan approach in advancing federal surface transportation legislation.

section-track

What's Next

Dozens of seats are still outstanding, so final margins are not yet clear. Year-end deadlines on funding and surface transportation policy must also be addressed before the new Congress begins in January.

House Flips.
Changes Ahead.

House Flips. Changes Ahead.

Changing Chairs

House Committees

Election results will bring changes to the House committees responsible for transportation policy, revenue and annual spending. Here are the leaders and transitions most relevant to the transportation construction industry.

*Will be updated as events warrant.

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

Rick_Larsen_116th_Congress_official_photo_500

Chairman

Rick Larsen (D-WA)

placeholder-neutral-480x600

Ranking Member

To Be Determined

Different Senate Faces.
Same Bipartisanship.

Different Senate Faces. Same Bipartisanship.

What Happened

The largest class of new senators since the 1940s will be sworn in this January with at least 18 new members. Democrats will have the majority but cannot reach the 60-vote threshold to override a filibuster. This ensures bipartisanship remains a critical part of advancing legislation.

Two races in Mississippi and Alaska are still outstanding.

section-track

What it Means

While several Republican supporters of the 2021 infrastructure law are not returning next Congress, there will still be nine left in the Senate who voted for the bill. Regarding the next reauthorization, efforts to advance a long-term highway and transit bill will restart in January, and priorities will likely shift with new leadership atop key committees.

section-track

What's Next

Once results of the final two seats are set, the business of organizing committees, setting priorities and selecting leadership will begin. But before the new Congress is sworn in, the lame duck session will offer an opportunity for the Senate to restore funding and delivery certainty to highway and transit programs.

Environment & Public Works Committee

Merkley_Jeff-031317-JHK-011-819x1024

Chairman

Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Tentative

500px-Shelley_Moore_Capito_official_Senate_photo

Ranking Member

Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)

Changing Chairs

Senate Committees

New leadership atop key committees will determine the direction of transportation policy, federal funding, and infrastructure investment. Here are the lawmakers that will be involved in these policies.

*Will be updated as events warrant.

Who's New
in the Senate

Meet the newly elected senators joining the 120th Congress and explore the experience and transportation perspectives they bring to Washington.

The Road Ahead

While much of November and December will be spent organizing the new Congress and establishing leadership roles, Congress must address the Dec. 11 expiration of transportation funding and highway and transit program authorization.  ARTBA's top priority during this period is restoring the $13.5 billion in cuts to these programs. 

View from
the States

Explore the leading gubernatorial candidates and the transportation priorities likely to shape state investment after the election.

votePins_graphic

Local Votes.
Major Investment.

Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC)

Voters Back Transportation Investment in Election Day Ballot Measures

Despite concerns about the U.S. economy and affordability, voters in Tuesday's general election approved 81 percent of 294 state and local transportation funding measures, according to preliminary results analyzed by ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC).

Explore State & Local Results

Stay Connected.
Take Action.

Elections set the stage. The decisions that follow will shape transportation investment, policy, and projects across the country. Join ARTBA’s grassroots network to receive updates and action alerts when your voice can make a difference.

Join the Grassroots Network

Have questions about the election results or what they mean for transportation?
ARTBA’s Government Affairs experts are here to help.

Contact Our Team
Phone Alert and Nationwide Transportation Network