As Washington Swings Right, Boards Update Their Playbooks

This quarterly NACD policy brief summarizes key legislative, regulatory, and legal developments affecting boards and advises members of related NACD advocacy.

A new Congress and administration are forming in Washington in the wake of decisive Republican victories in the House, Senate, and White House. The landslide electoral and popular vote in favor of Donald J. Trump as 47th president revealed a US population ready for change in national policies based in lower taxes and fewer regulations. Corporate boards and management can now start adjusting their companies’ regulatory and economic strategies. This column highlights likely developments that will affect corporate boards.

The 119th Congress now has solid majorities in both the House and Senate. House speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has promised to fight for “the most aggressive 100-day agenda of the modern era.” In the Senate, former leader Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is out, replaced by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who will work with majority whip Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)...

Alexandra Reed Lajoux, PhD, MBA, is a founding principal of Capital Expert Services, LLC (CapEx). She serves NACD as chief knowledge officer emeritus.