While Tuesday’s midterms brought a host of surprises for pollsters anticipating a “red wave” of support for Republicans, and the week has revealed little clarity on who would control the U.S. House or Senate, one thing remained clear for Beltway lawyers: Clients will need even more help traversing the policy, enforcement and regulatory environment that is to come over the next two years.

If Republicans had secured a strong majority in the House and convincing control of the Senate, Washington’s bevy of law firm offices was bracing for a sharp uptick in congressional oversight, leveled at both the Biden administration and other targets on the GOP agenda.