P&Q: What is your outlook for the upcoming elections?
Bender: Currently in the House, Democrats only need to pick up three seats to control the majority, and there are roughly 25 to 30 competitive seats. Historically, headwinds suggest that the party of a new president doesn’t do well in the midterm following the election. We’ll see if those trends prevail this year. If they do, that will mean a Democratic House.
In the Senate, I think it’s going to be a little tougher for the Democrats. When you look at some of the races this cycle, the math is more difficult for Democrats who are looking to regain the majority.
P&Q: While infrastructure is a key focus at NSSGA, what are some other issues the association is focused on this year?
Bender: Given the margins in Congress right now, heading into a November election, it will be a slog for Congress in terms of getting legislative wins across the finish line. We’re looking at the 2026 Water Resources Development Act. That’s a two-year bill that authorizes water infrastructure projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Permitting reform is another focus. We want to be able to get projects done faster and more cost-efficiently.
Workforce development is another. We’d like to see Congress reauthorize the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act.
Government funding is also a focus. It seems to be a fight every single cycle. We want the key agencies that regulate our industry to operate at full capacity.
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