Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill on Monday for a lame-duck session following midterm elections that resulted in Republican losses. The current Republican majority faces an agenda that includes internal leadership elections and a December 11 deadline to fund the federal government. President Trump also announced his first major post-election personnel change, appointing Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff.
The transition comes as Republicans prepare to move into the minority in both the House and Senate this January. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson is stepping down, leading to a contest for minority leader between Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). Democrats, who will take the majority, have positioned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to become speaker, with Katherine Clark (D-MA) as majority leader and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) as whip.
In the Senate, Republicans scheduled leadership elections for Tuesday morning, though a group of at least five members led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) sought a delay. Despite the internal debate, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is widely expected by his conference to be elected to a second term as leader. Senate Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership elections in early December.
The funding deadline of December 11 remains a primary focus, as the government is currently operating on a short-term extension. House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) indicated that negotiators would begin work following the election. Some Democrats have suggested using leverage to block funds for the war in Iran, while Republicans have considered a third reconciliation bill to pass priorities like additional defense funding without Democratic votes.
For federal agencies, the immediate focus is on passing 12 annual appropriations bills or another short-term "continuing resolution." A continuing resolution would maintain current spending levels. Negotiators must decide whether to settle these figures now or delay the process into the new Congress.
The next steps involve House and Senate Republican leadership elections scheduled for Tuesday, followed by House Democratic elections next week. The most critical deadline is December 11, when the current government funding expires. Between now and January, the Senate is expected to prioritize the confirmation of President Trump’s judicial and administration nominees and a permitting reform bill. Additionally, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) stated he will move to force a vote on the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upon Congress' return unless the secretary resigns.