Congress returned from break on November 12 but are only in D.C. until they break again for Thanksgiving recess on November 22. The clock is ticking on 2024 with a lot to accomplish during the lame duck session. The first order of business is the House and Senate voting on leadership elections for the minority and majority parties.

• The Senate: Republicans will take the majority in the 119^th Congress after flipping three Senate seats from the Democrats, bringing their total to majority at 52. Earlier this year former Republican leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced he was stepping down from leadership. John Thune (R-SD), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Rick Scott (R-FL) ran to be Senate Majority Leader. Thune won the race, beating Cornyn 29-24 after Scott was eliminated in the first ballot. Thune has served in leadership with McConnell, currently as Minority Whip, and is also the ranking member of the Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. Prior to joining the Senate in 2024, Thune served in the House and in the Small Business Administration under former President Ronald Reagan.

• The House of Representatives: The Republicans have the 218 seats needed to hold the majority, but it will be a slim majority. There weren’t any surprises at the top. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA 4) won an uncontested race to remain Speaker of the House and Rep. Steve Scalice (R-LA 1) will continue as House Majority Leader. The only shake up was the vacancy left by Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY 21), who was nominated to serve as ambassador to the United Nations. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL 3) and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI 9) both vied for the role, with McClain winning resoundingly 146-67-1.

• Minority Leadership: The Democrats are expected to hold their leadership elections later this week but are unlikely to see any major changes in either the House or Senate. Both Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY 8) are expected to lead the minority party in their respective chambers.

The major shakeups that could most impact small and independent breweries will come when committee assignments are made. The Democrats have already lost four members of the Senate Finance Committee, the group that oversees tax issues in the Senate. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) retired, and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) lost his re-election. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who also serves on the Finance Committee, is in a tough race. The Associated Press called the Pennsylvania Senate election for challenger David McCormick, but Casey has not conceded. Neither candidate has surpassed the 0.05% margin of error so there will be a recount. These changes, coupled with the Republicans taking leadership, make it a committee worth watching. On the House side there are less retirements and losses on the Ways and Means Committee which will result in minimal turnover. Rep Jason Smith (R-MO 8), and Rep. Richie Neal (D-MA 1) are expected to hold their respective positions of Chairman and Ranking Member.

With the Republican leadership elections wrapped, expect to hear a lot about December 20, and the need to pass a fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget or another funding extension. A few ideas have been voiced, including passing a continuing resolution until March, or coming to a deal to fund the government through September 2025. Speaker Johnson has stated that the president-elect’s opinion will play a big part in what the Republicans propose. We will provide more information on that and other issues as it becomes available.