The great slowdown: How the change in congressional control will affect the regulatory environment

Following the 2026 midterms, businesses are preparing for a new congressional landscape that is expected to influence the federal regulatory environment for years to come. While shifts in congressional control may not immediately translate into new legislation, they can significantly affect how regulatory agencies operate, prioritize enforcement activities and engage with the private sector.

Join our panel for a timely discussion of how changes in congressional control may affect the federal regulatory landscape in 2027 and beyond. Our speakers will explore how congressional oversight, investigations, agency scrutiny and the appropriations process can influence regulatory policy and enforcement, even during periods of legislative gridlock.

During this webinar, our speakers will discuss:

• How divided government may reshape regulatory priorities and agency decision-making

• Congressional oversight investigations of private sector companies and their increasing impact on business operations

• How congressional investigations and scrutiny of federal agencies can influence regulatory behavior and enforcement activities

• The potential revival of the appropriations process and its implications for agency funding, priorities and policy implementation

• Practical considerations for companies navigating regulatory uncertainty and heightened congressional scrutiny

Whether you are an in-house counsel, compliance professional, government affairs leader or business executive, this session will provide valuable insights into the evolving relationship between Congress and federal agencies, and what it may mean for your organization.

Our panel

• Keith Bradley, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs | Moderator, nationally recognized appellate advocate focused on high-stakes regulatory and government enforcement matters.

• Delia Deschaine, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs | Trusted advisor to companies navigating the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other complex regulatory challenges.

• Giancarlo Pellegrini, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs | Chair of the firm’s Congressional Oversight & Investigations practice. He previously served as senior counsel to the House Oversight Committee, and he has led congressional investigations into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump and the origins of the COVID-19 virus, among others.

• Taryn Frideres, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs | Former senior advisor to governors, senators and diplomats with deep insight into how government policy is developed and implemented. Taryn served in senior roles in the US Department of State in the first Trump administration and before that as counsel to US Senator Joni Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.