Congress faces final push before funding lapse
Lawmakers return to Washington with weeks to pass a stopgap bill before the government loses funding on December 11.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Federal employees face a potential work stoppage on December 11. That date marks the expiration of a stopgap funding measure passed roughly a month before the midterms. Members of the 119th Congress are returning to Washington for a final session. They have only a few weeks to act before Republicans cede control of both chambers to Democrats.
The primary legislative goal is keeping the government operational. Lawmakers are expected to pass another short-term bill called a continuing resolution. This approach avoids the complex process of negotiating twelve separate appropriations bills. That standard method requires time and political capital that the current Congress lacks.
The National Defense Authorization Act presents a secondary challenge. This annual military funding package is currently stalled by political disagreements over the Iran war. A majority of Americans oppose the conflict. President Trump has acknowledged that this opposition helped drive his party out of power in the recent elections.
The House is likely to vote on an impeachment effort targeting Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The measure was introduced by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie is a key figure in forcing the administration to release the Epstein files. The impeachment charges assert that the administration failed to properly consult Congress regarding the military campaign.
Democrats are expected to maintain a firm stance on legislation. They are weeks away from taking control of both chambers. Consequently, major bills such as the Protect College Sports Act and a bipartisan energy permitting overhaul will likely wait until the new term begins. The Protect College Sports Act aims to introduce new regulations around college athlete compensation.
Attendance issues could complicate the final voting sessions. Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers. Many lawmakers feel demoralized after last week's midterm elections. Mike Ricci, a Republican strategist and former aide to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, noted that reluctant legislators may return for practical reasons. He cited office wind-downs, job hunting, and the White House Christmas party as factors that could draw them back.
