Congress returns to Washington. Here’s what to expect: NPR

Lawmakers return to Washington this week to finish their work before Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January.

Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

It’s the end of the 119th Congress. Republicans have only a few weeks left in control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main goal on the agenda: keeping the federal government open. Funding is expected to run out on Dec. 11, when a stopgap measure passed about a month before the midterm elections expire.

It is almost certain that any extension of funding will be through another short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution. The typical government funding process — 12 carefully negotiated appropriations bills — would take time and political will that lawmakers currently lack.

Congress will also need to find a way forward on the National Defense Authorization Act, long considered a must-have annual military funding package. This year’s bill is mired in the ruthless politics of the Iran war. The conflict is opposed by a majority of Americans – something President Trump has acknowledged is a key force in driving his party from power.

The House is also likely to vote on an impeachment effort targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Introduced by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a key figure who forced the administration to release the Epstein files, the impeachment measure lists a number of accusations, including that the administration failed to properly consult with Congress on the military campaign.

Democrats are unlikely to be in a compromising mood on the legislation, weeks away from taking control of both chambers. That means continued work on big-ticket projects like the College Sports Protection Act, intended to introduce new regulations regarding college athlete pay, and a bipartisan overhaul authorizing the power will likely wait until the new term.

With slim majorities in both chambers, they could also face turnout problems after a demoralizing performance in last week’s midterm elections. This further complicates the passage of laws by chambers already governed by the weakest of majorities.