Republicans have secured control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress authorises the budget, they have exclusive power to declare war and regulate foreign commerce and they authorise important foreign policy appointees. Even before the next Congress is sworn in, we are seeing Congress flex their power in considering President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

What will be the Indo-Pacific priorities for the next Congress? Where might Congress diverge from the White House? Are critical initiatives like AUKUS at risk of losing congressional support?

Director of Research Jared Mondschein sat down with Research Fellow Tom Corben and Senior Research Associate Alice Nason in mid-November to analyse the new Congress and what it means for the Indo-Pacific.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

After months of speculation and one of the most tumultuous campaigns in history, we now know that we will have a second Trump term, beginning on 20 January 2025.

How did what looked like a coin-toss election lead to such a resounding outcome? What can we expect to see in a Trump 2.0 administration? What should allies and partners do now to prepare?

To discuss these issues, on Monday of last week we welcomed two DC insiders on the podcast. USSC CEO Dr Michael Green is a former White House official and Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson held several positions on the Hill. They give their breakdown on the election results and what to expect based on their conversations with people close with the Trump administration.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

AI, energy security, critical minerals and supply chain issues are all inextricably linked with each other and with US competition with China. Erik Jacobs held several roles in the Trump administration including as policy coordinator for the US Department of Energy’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy and as a policy advisor in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s National Security and International Affairs team.

How can governments maintain energy security as AI developments drive far greater demand on the grid? Does competition with China help or hurt US innovation? How should the next administration approach these emerging challenges?

Back in September, Erik Jacobs joined USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the USSC Briefing Room podcast to discuss these issues.

Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat