Maxine Waters

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., will take the gavel on the Financial Services Committee next term.

The newly sworn-in director’s first public remarks seemed to contrast with the approach of her predecessor, Mick Mulvaney, who at times questioned the role of the agency.

Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee are expected to shine a spotlight on Trump-appointed regulators, but that light might shine brightest on one agency in particular.

The Democrat, who will likely head the Financial Services Committee, has signaled she'll make expanded housing opportunities for lower-income consumers a top priority.

The end of one-party rule in Washington could move the needle on efforts to devise a new housing finance framework.

The midterm elections virtually eliminate the chance that progress will be made on financial services legislation.

The presumptive chair of the House Financial Services Committee will likely take the panel in a sharply new direction and have a new bully pulpit to criticize the Trump administration.

The focus since the 2016 election on easing rules, tax cuts and expanding access to credit is about to be turned on its head.

Several Senate, House and gubernatorial battles are of interest to financial firms. Here is a spotlight on specific contests, with updates as they become available.

The battle gaining the most attention Tuesday night will be which party controls the House next year. But other key races will help determine the makeup of the Senate Banking Committee.