Policy Briefs November 2026

On November 3, Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, securing at least 54 seats in the Senate, a net gain of seven seats, and at least 253 seats in the House, a net gain of 41 seats, with many close races still being counted. In the House, Democrats would start the new Congress with the largest majority in two decades. 

With control of both chambers, top Democratic appropriators will likely introduce language in federal funding bills that would prohibit rescissions from the Trump Administration, prevent the closure of specific agencies or parts of agencies, and block changes to research administration. Democrats may also plan to increase non-defense spending, including on health research and student aid. Additionally, Democrats are likely to increase oversight of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and transfer its functions to other federal agencies through interagency agreements (IAAs), including the implications for federal education programs, student loan servicing and civil rights enforcement. There may also be efforts to address the provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that set loan limits for graduate and professional students.

CSWE looks forward to working with the new Congress and advocating on behalf of social work students, educators, and programs.