The first session of the 116th Congress is underway. The midterm elections in 2018 resulted in the Democratic Party taking control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2010. The 116th Congress commenced in the middle of a partial government shutdown, perhaps serving as an indication of the kind of gridlock and partisan posturing that will characterize the next two years.
Partisan division continues to prevail in Washington, D.C. However, there were a number of bipartisan victories in 2018, including substantial reforms to the federal criminal justice system and efforts to combat sex trafficking online. In the midst of this environment, we will continue to look for ways to advance our agenda through bipartisan cooperation.
The following agenda lays out the ERLC’s core priorities for the coming year to serve Southern Baptists and the common good. This agenda is ambitious, and several of these items are long-term initiatives for which we are working to build support. For these kinds of initiatives, our work is focused on incremental progress and maintaining a long-term commitment. Above all, we believe that rigorous integrity produces the most fruitful political engagement. We will continue to work to that end for Southern Baptists in Washington, D.C. this year
We know God has his own agenda, and our objective is to align ourselves with the ways God is moving in Washington to the benefit of the United States and the world as a whole. We ask that our brothers and sisters in Christ join us in prayer and action as we seek together to be used by God for his purposes on earth.