Although the 2026 midterm results end Republican control of Congress—and the congressional subpoena authority that comes with it—they do not end the Republican oversight agenda. As we have seen from Democratic Members in the minority for the last two years, we can expect Republican Members to use oversight as a
Continue Reading Oversight by Other Means: Republican Investigative Tools and Priorities After the Midtermscongressional letter
House Armed Services Committee Poised to Ramp Up Oversight of Defense Contractors
Posted in Congressional Investigations
The midterm elections are expected to usher in a new wave of congressional oversight, and the House Armed Services Committee seems poised to open significantly more investigations in the 120th Congress than it has in recent years. In a November 4, 2026, statement, Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.)…
Continue Reading House Armed Services Committee Poised to Ramp Up Oversight of Defense ContractorsWhat the 2026 Exit Polls Signal for Democratic Investigations in Congress
Posted in Congressional Investigations
Voters handed the Democratic Party a decisive win, voicing deep frustration with the status quo. But with President Trump still in the White House and holding veto power, Democratic Members of Congress will likely find it difficult to pass legislation. Organizations should expect Democratic Members to use their investigative authority…
Continue Reading What the 2026 Exit Polls Signal for Democratic Investigations in Congress“Lawyer Up”: Conservatives Should Prepare Now for the Coming Democratic Oversight Push
Posted in Congressional Investigations
Following last night’s sweeping Democratic victories, which delivered the party control of both the House and the Senate, the incoming Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Representative Robert Garcia, issued a two-word statement that is drawing significant attention: “Lawyer up.” The message is unmistakable. Organizations, donors…
Continue Reading “Lawyer Up”: Conservatives Should Prepare Now for the Coming Democratic Oversight PushReady or Not: The Next Wave of Democratic Congressional Investigations Is Coming
For months, Members of Congress, commentators, and companies have previewed what Democratic control of the House and Senate would mean for congressional oversight. Yesterday, voters made it official. In two months, Democrats will hold the gavels in both chambers—and the subpoena power that comes with them.
As we have previously…
Continue Reading Ready or Not: The Next Wave of Democratic Congressional Investigations Is ComingAI Industry Could Face New House Committee Armed with Subpoena Power
The artificial intelligence industry could face a new, dedicated congressional investigative committee if Democratic Members of Congress take control of the House of Representatives following November’s midterm elections. The House Democratic leaders are reportedly laying the groundwork to create a select committee focused on artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the new…
Continue Reading AI Industry Could Face New House Committee Armed with Subpoena PowerGovernment Contractors Face Unique Risks Amid Growing Congressional Scrutiny
In recent years, investigators in Congress have ramped up scrutiny of government contractors and other recipients of federal funds. This trend has only accelerated in the current Congress, with Republican-led committees pursuing expansive inquiries targeting a wide variety of federal contractors and grantees. Along with familiar allegations of waste or…
Continue Reading Government Contractors Face Unique Risks Amid Growing Congressional ScrutinyToday’s Press Release Could Be Tomorrow’s Subpoena: Bracing For the Possibility of Democratic Congressional Investigations
With fewer than 180 days until the midterm elections, Democratic Members of Congress are laying the groundwork for future congressional investigations in the event the party regains control of one or both chambers next year. Even as Democratic Members prepare for the possibility of winning the majority, developments such as…
Continue Reading Today’s Press Release Could Be Tomorrow’s Subpoena: Bracing For the Possibility of Democratic Congressional InvestigationsThe Paper Trail Starts Now: Minority Document Preservation Letters and Preparing for Oversight to Come
By Perrin Cooke, William Sokolove & Joshua Schenk on
Posted in Congressional Investigations
With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate have begun to return to an increasingly familiar tactic of the minority: firing off a flurry of document preservation letters that are a harbinger for the subpoenas to come. These early letters signal that key Democrats…
Continue Reading The Paper Trail Starts Now: Minority Document Preservation Letters and Preparing for Oversight to ComeGrassley Defends Congressional Oversight; House Democrats Turn to Statutory Oversight Authority
By Robert Kelner, Brian D. Smith & Andrew Garrahan on
Posted in Congressional Investigations
The Trump administration’s efforts to curtail congressional oversight of executive branch agencies by individual Members of Congress, including ranking Democratic Members of Committees, ran into significant opposition from an unlikely source: Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Republican Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Grassley’s strong reaction is consistent with…
Continue Reading Grassley Defends Congressional Oversight; House Democrats Turn to Statutory Oversight Authority