Key Senate Power Players: Who to Watch in 2025

If current predictions prevail, the election will result in a U.S. Senate flip from Democratic to Republican control in the new Congress. Regardless of which party is in power, its majority will be slim making those Senators who have shown independence and a willingness to cross party lines even more critical to legislative progress. 

Focus on Sens. Collins and Murkowski: Axios reports on the power held by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) as independent-minded Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Joe Manchin (I-WV) retire.

Under a Trump Presidency, the Collins and Murkowski votes will be critical to passing his legislative agenda.

Under a Harris Presidency, their votes will be crucial to getting her Cabinet and other key officials confirmed.

The bottom line: Key workplace legislation, like non-competes, paid leave, and the regulation of AI, will require the parties to come together to find solutions. Both Collins and Murkowski have displayed a desire to find bipartisan policy solutions, making them Senators to watch in 2025. 

• Other Senators to watch include Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Cassidy is known as “legislation minded” senator and, as the Lead Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, plays a critical role on workplace-related legislation.