The 2026 midterm elections promised to be a defining moment for federal employment policy. With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress—Democrats needing just three House seats and four Senate seats to flip control—the stakes could not have been higher. Now, immediately following this pivotal election, this dynamic panel discussion will bring together leading practitioners and policy experts to analyze the results and their implications for the Trump administration’s employment policy agenda for the remainder of its term.
Our distinguished panelists will assess the administration’s employment policy track record to date—including the rescission of the Biden-era independent contractor rule, the return to the 2020 joint employer standard at the NLRB, and aggressive enforcement efforts targeting workplace DEI initiatives. With the EEOC now operating with a Republican majority and quorum restored, and new leadership firmly in place at all key Department of Labor agencies, the discussion will examine how the election results position the administration’s agenda going forward and what the new congressional composition means for the trajectory of federal labor policy.

Attendees will gain critical insights into how the election results will impact the administration’s enforcement priorities on hot-button issues such as alleged “illegal DEI” in the workplace, restrictions on non-compete agreements at the state level, the ongoing debate over federal paid leave, union organizing activity in light of executive orders curtailing federal employee collective bargaining rights, and evolving AI-in-employment compliance requirements. The panel will also assess the election’s influence on legislative initiatives, agency rulemaking, and the broader trajectory of employment law.

Whether you represent employers navigating an evolving compliance landscape or advise clients on workforce strategy, this session will equip you with the practical knowledge and forward-looking perspective needed to anticipate change and counsel stakeholders effectively. Join us for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of electoral politics and workplace policy as we decode the implications of this pivotal election.