Viewing the Election Results Through a Business Lens

By: Ann Sullivan 

When you read this, the election results will likely still be coming in and you will know whether or not the House and Senate have changed control or stayed with the Republican majority.  Although the news media will have interpreted the results according to the agendas they believe voters are familiar with, it may not necessarily speak to what the changes mean to women owned businesses or federal contractors. 

To understand what it means to your business depends on your industry and your priorities.  If you in the health care sector, for example, your interest will most likely go beyond what the average business cares about – increased rates.  If your business involves national security, you most likely will have a different perspective on immigration, that goes beyond border security.  Our business is policy, so we see election results through the lens of how these changes affect the WIPP/business agenda.  In order to achieve results, we work with those in power who can advance our policy priorities.  That means if the control of the House and Senate flips to Democrats, we form new relationships which extend to new Chairs of Committees and a whole new leadership team.  It also means that the business agenda will likely change or at least the focus depending on the interests of Committee chairs and leadership. 

Even if the Republicans keep control of the House and Senate, leadership will change with the departure of Speaker Paul Ryan and Committee Chairs will still move around.  For example, the Senate Small Business Committee is expected to have a new chair, and the House has a policy that with each new Congress, party leaders negotiate the size and Chairs of the Committees.  The ratio of majority/minority members on each Committee is also determined by party leadership.  Obviously, if the Democrats take control of the House/Senate, the changes are far greater.  

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that all of these changes apply to staff members, since they are employed by each Member of Congress, not the institution.  Staff sizes shrink if the ruling party becomes the minority party, while majority staffs increase.   

With respect to issues, there ares difference of opinion not only between Republicans and Democrats, but also within each party.  Issues such making tax cuts permanent, trade, deregulation, infrastructure, workplace and defense spending and health care depend not only on the party in control, but also the states/districts the leadership represents.  A speaker from Wisconsin is going to have different priorities than a speaker from California, for example.   

What doesn’t change for us is working in a bipartisan manner.  We need friends in both parties to move our agenda. Although the majority in Congress sets the agenda, the minority is usually in a position to stop it, so bipartisanship is a practical reality for our team.   

As election results start rolling in, take a look at the issues agendas of those who won and those who lost. It will give you a better sense of what to expect in January when the new Congress is sworn in.  Or, you can hit the easy button and tune into our team’s next monthly policy briefing where we will analyze the effects of the election on our legislative priorities.   

Understanding election results is business intelligence critical to the success of your business.