Congress enters lame duck session following midterm elections
Lawmakers have government funding, defense and farm bills on their agenda before the 120th Congress is seated
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Congress has a list of unfinished work during the lame duck session, the period between the election of a new Congress and the start of its term, including a Dec. 11 government funding deadline.
The session follows the 2026 midterm elections, which came to a head on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Top of the agenda: the stopgap funding bill passed earlier this year to keep the government open through Election Day, which expires Dec. 11. A government shutdown is possible before the holidays if lawmakers cannot agree on a spending package.
The agenda also includes the remaining fiscal year 2027 spending bills, the National Defense Authorization Act and the Farm Bill. Both stalled ahead of the midterms.
In the final weeks of the year, Republican leaders will also attempt to carry out President Donald Trump’s top directives before the majority of both chambers flips. Democrats are unlikely to cooperate knowing they will be in charge in 2027, which gives them an edge in negotiations.
During the session, both parties are expected to start planning for the 120th Congress, including new policy pushes and messaging following the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Trump is threatening to veto anything that does not fit his agenda.
The 120th Congress will be seated in the first few days of January 2027. Current lawmakers will return to the Hill Nov. 9.
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