Brookings Institution

Stories

2026 primary season closes with record congressional turnover

As of September 2026: Provided historical context

Nearly one in five lawmakers who started the 119th Congress won't return next year. The 2026 primary season closed with 99 seats guaranteed to have a different member than when the Congress began in January 2025.

Updated Sep 16

U.S. health care spending growth hits its slowest stretch since tracking began in 1960

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Published and hosted the paper presentation

For decades, American health care spending grew faster than the economy. Government actuaries projected in 2010 that it would hit 21.2 percent of GDP by 2024 (about $6.3 trillion), but actual spending came in at 18%, roughly $977 billion less.

Updated May 31