Congress Faces Multiple Key Deadlines in January Ahead of 2026 Elections
In January, the House and Senate have only eight days meeting together before the January 30 funding deadline. The Senate is slated for 15 total session days, while the House will meet for 12 days.
Congress recently ended the longest-ever government shutdown but has yet to complete funding for the fiscal year 2026. While a portion of the budget was funded, most funding was deferred to the January 30 deadline.
Health insurance premiums are expected to rise in January as the COVID-era enhanced subsidies expire. Republicans oppose extending these subsidies without reforms, though some moderate Republicans seek a short-term extension.
The House has passed a healthcare reform bill aimed at expanding options in the private insurance market. However, Senate counterparts have failed to advance a compromise, making healthcare a key issue for 2026.
Mid-decade redistricting efforts are ongoing nationwide. Former President Trump has urged GOP states to redraw maps. California is moving to redraw maps in a way that favors Democrats, and court battles continue over these maps.
States including Texas, California, Virginia, Illinois, Alabama, and Louisiana could redraw congressional maps before the November 2026 elections. Court orders and stays are influencing the pace of these efforts.
Legislation to ban mid-decade redistricting has been introduced in the House but has not yet been enacted.
Democrats are looking to widen the 2026 battlefield with new House targets. Speaker Mike Johnson has largely stayed hands-off on redistricting, while Democrats view it as a significant election-year issue, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
