By Adam Finkel

This article is a part of the January/February 2019, Volume 31, Number 1, Audiology Today issue.

As the dust settled from the midterm elections in November, the Academy, along with all DC policy shops, lobbying firms, and advocacy organizations began preparing for a new reality that would dominate Capitol Hill for at least the next two years: a split Congress.

Democratic candidates made sharp gains in suburban areas of the country, while Republicans maintained their dominance in more rural states. Both parties are able to claim national victories, with Democrats picking up 40 seats in the House and Republicans picking up two Senate seats.

In the Senate, the Republican party was able to defeat incumbent Democrats Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Bill Nelson (D-FL). Democratic challengers picked up an open Arizona Senate seat left by retiring Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and defeated Senator Dean Heller (R-NV). Democrats also were able to hold off Republican challenges in several states that are typically more Republican, as Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) were reelected. Republicans also held Senate seats in Texas as Ted Cruz (R-TX) was reelected. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) beat back a stiff challenge to win the Senate seat vacated by Bob Corker (R-TN), who is retiring.

The House proved to be a different story Democratic victories exceeded most political pundits’ expectations, winning 40 seats. Major pickups occurred in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Texas, and Florida, as suburban areas that have traditionally trended Republican elected a Democratic representative to the House for the first time in decades. Democrats are expected to name Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as the Speaker to the House allowing her to reclaim the title that she gave up when the Republican Party took control of the House in 2011. The Republicans are expected to name Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as their leader, taking the mantle from Paul Ryan, who is retiring from Congress.

This content is an exclusive benefit for American Academy of Audiology members.

If you're a member, log in and you'll get immediate access.

Member Login

If you're not yet a member, you'll be interested to know that joining not only gives you access to top-notch resources like this one, but also invitations to member-only events, inclusion in the member directory, participation in professional forums, and access to patient resources, tools, and continuing education. Join today!