Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

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Home » Legislative Update » 2026 Midterms: The Countdown Begins—What’s at Stake for Musicians


2026 Midterms: The Countdown Begins—What’s at Stake for Musicians

January 1, 2026

  -  Ben Kessler, AFM Director of Government Affairs

With governors’ races, special elections, and the 24-hour news cycle, it is difficult to tell when election years begin and end. But here we are. It’s 2026, and the midterms are a short 10 months away. We all know what’s at stake.

Republicans enjoy narrow margins in both the US House and Senate. At the time of writing, Republicans control the House of Representatives 220-213 with two vacancies. Those seats belonged to recently deceased Representative Sylvester Turner (D-TX) and newly elected Governor Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). Republicans have a 53-47 seat majority in the Senate. And those close margins are not the only things to watch.

The number of retirements and those leaving to seek higher/other office are mounting. So far, the count is up to 41 members of the House of Representatives. Seven Senators have announced they will not run for reelection. By comparison, in 2022, 49 members in the House and six Senators did not seek reelection. Expect that number to climb to unprecedented highs as we get closer to November.

Redistricting will drive up retirements and change outcomes. Six states have already implemented new congressional maps: California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Virginia redistricting is currently in process. Democratic and Republican leadership in Maryland and Florida, respectively, have signaled their preference for redistricting. And others may do the same depending on court orders.

Perhaps most notably, Indiana rejected pressure from President Trump to redraw district lines. In the end, the outcome may be net neutral. But with the margins so slight, it will certainly be one more variable worth tracking this year.

Many of our greatest champions are among those leaving office—both by choice and, perhaps, because of redistricting. Key retirements include Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). In addition to representing AFM priorities in Congress, Nadler always stood with working musicians during his time as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Tillis is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Creators’ Rights Caucus. And Senator Marsha Blackburn is leaving the Senate to run for Governor of Tennessee. In both the House and Senate, Blackburn represented Nashville musicians and artists across the state with unrivaled energy.

We can shape the next Congress. Thank you for your ongoing support of TEMPO, the AFM’s political action committee. Your contributions will be increasingly important in 2026. A likely divided government will mean Congressional oversight and negotiations on key issues such as regulation of artificial intelligence. Let’s make sure we’re doing everything possible to send representatives to Capitol Hill who have our best interests at heart.






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