US SIF Statement on the 2026 Midterm Elections
US SIF Statement on the 2026 Midterm Elections: Fiduciary Duty and Risk Management Transcend Party Lines
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 2026 — US Sustainable Investment Forum (US SIF), whose members span the U.S. capital markets value chain, today released the following statement regarding the 2026 midterm elections.
Maria Lettini, CEO of US SIF, offered this perspective:
“Election results shift Congressional majorities, but the fundamentals of managing portfolio risk and opportunity do not change. Investors evaluate environmental, social, and governance factors because they inform prudent investment decisions, not because of political ideology.
Healthy capital markets depend on investors having the freedom to evaluate all material information. Extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and shifting energy demand affect financial statements regardless of which party holds power. Policies that limit access to material risk information reduce market transparency and can harm long-term outcomes for savers and retirees.
As the new Congress takes shape, we look forward to working with returning and newly elected lawmakers to maintain efficient, transparent capital markets.”
Maintaining Focus on Fiduciary Obligations
Market transparency depends on open access to information. When policy proposals attempt to limit the data financial managers evaluate, decision-making becomes constrained. Preserving the freedom to consider relevant factors enables portfolio managers to fulfill obligations to public pension plans, institutional funds, and individual investors.
Preserving Shareholder Engagement Rights
Shareholder engagement serves as a primary mechanism for executive oversight. Investors holding equity in publicly traded corporations maintain the right to submit and vote on resolutions regarding material operational concerns, including workplace safety practices, supply chain concentration, and corporate emissions tracking.
US SIF will continue engaging with regulators, congressional offices, and market participants to defend shareholder rights. While policy debates persist, our organization remains focused on guiding capital toward durable value creation.
About US SIF
US SIF advances sustainable investment practices through research, education, policy engagement, and events for its 175 members, whose combined assets represent over $7 trillion of assets under management or advisement. Learn more at ussif.org.
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CONTACT:
Bryan McGannon bmcgannon@ussif.org