Dear John,
Democrats won majorities in the House and the Senate on Tuesday, which means the 120th Congress that convenes on January 3 will look very different from the one before it. President Trump remains in office, but he will now work with a legislature controlled by the opposing party, which changes what is possible on oversight, funding, and legislation.
For the Americas, this matters. Over the past two years, U.S. policy in the region has included unlawful lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, the transfer of mostly Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran prison without due process, limited public information about the finances behind Venezuelan oil deals, and a heavy reliance on military tools to address organized crime. These serious issues raise legal and human rights questions and deserve careful public scrutiny. A Congress that holds hearings, demands documents, and expects answers can help bring greater transparency and accountability, which is urgently needed.
Oversight is only part of the picture. Congress also has the power of the purse, shaping how U.S. funds are allocated. This gives lawmakers a chance to rebuild foreign assistance after the devastating cuts of 2025 and 2026, requiring clearer reporting on where the money goes, attaching human rights requirements to aid for security forces, and supporting the journalists, advocates, and community groups working under pressure across the region. At home, appropriations are also a way to press for professional standards and accountability after the severe abuses that have characterized the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Though WOLA has continued to work in an extremely difficult context, now we see real glimmers of hope that we can push back more effectively against abuses in the region and advance policies grounded in safety, accountability, and respect for human rights. We’re preparing to hit the ground running in the new year. In our latest piece, we break down some priorities for Congress as related to Latin America and the Caribbean. You can read it here. Stay tuned for more analysis.
Thank you for being part of this work.
