Like nearly every other aspect of the federal political landscape, prospects for evidence-based policymaking were upended by the stunning results of the 2016 elections.
Pre-election polls had predicted a continuation of divided government, with Democrats winning the presidency and possibly the Senate, while Republicans retained control of the House. Had that occurred, it would have extended the existing partisan gridlock, leaving evidence-based policy among a handful of low-profile issues where the two parties might still find common ground.
Instead, Republicans unexpectedly won control of the presidency while retaining control of Congress, sharply shifting Washington’s center of gravity away from bipartisan consensus and toward a new and uncertain balance between the establishment and populist wings of the GOP.
Continue reading SIRC’s column at Government Executive magazine.