# The Next Congress Could Be Surprisingly Productive for Businesses Shifting electoral incentives may break Washington gridlock, creating new legislative risks and opportunities. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8adb30cf-3ced-4771-9aff-41bbf7e4f616 ## Breaking the Gridlock Myth Washington has been defined by extreme partisan gridlock for a decade, leading observers to assume future legislative sessions will remain paralyzed. However, the 2026 election results have fundamentally altered the political incentives for Republican senators. With the 2028 map looming, the traditional assumption of predictable, party-line voting is no longer reliable. ## The 2028 Electoral Pressure Eighteen Republican senators face re-election in 2028, with seven representing states that recently elected Democrats or saw razor-thin margins. Senators like Ashley Moody and John Kennedy are now forced to prioritize general election voters over primary loyalty. This shift marks the end of the MAGA decade's dominance over legislative behavior. ## Economic Populism as Driver Nearly 90 percent of voters expressed deep concern regarding the cost of living, including gas, groceries, and utilities. Republicans who fail to address these economic anxieties risk losing their seats in 2028. Consequently, lawmakers are increasingly willing to break with party leadership to support populist measures that provide tangible relief. ## Emerging Bipartisan Coalitions Legislative patterns are shifting toward issues that defy traditional partisan labels, such as housing policy and data center regulation. A major housing bill recently passed with an 85-5 vote, demonstrating that veto-proof majorities are possible. These coalitions form when economic necessity outweighs the pressure to maintain strict party-line discipline. ## The Tariff Policy Test Tariffs represent the ultimate test for these new coalitions, as Congress may attempt to reclaim its constitutional authority over trade. Overriding a presidential veto requires significant Republican support in both chambers. With roughly 40 House Republicans winning by five points or less, the political math for challenging the White House is changing. ## Risks for Corporate Strategy Companies relying on old assumptions about Washington gridlock face significant strategic risks. Tech firms, for instance, should anticipate increased scrutiny and higher costs regarding data center expansion. Legislative agendas that were previously considered dead on arrival could suddenly gain momentum, catching unprepared corporate public affairs teams off guard during 2027. ## Opportunities for Policy Reform Not all shifts are negative for the private sector; bipartisan momentum is building for long-desired reforms like permitting. CEOs should prepare for a more volatile legislative environment where unexpected alliances form rapidly. Planning for these shifts is essential, as the traditional reliance on historical voting patterns is now a liability. ## Planning Over Rigid Forecasts As Dwight Eisenhower famously noted, plans are useless but planning is everything. Corporate leaders must move beyond static predictions of legislative agendas and prepare for a more dynamic, unpredictable Congress. The ability to adapt to these new, populist-driven coalitions will define which companies successfully navigate the legislative landscape in 2027. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/11/11/companies-gridlock-2027-congress-midterms-bipartisan/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._