Congress Returns to Washington to Secure Government Funding Before December Deadline

Members of the 119th Congress are returning to Washington this week with a tight deadline. Federal funding runs out on December 11, when the current stop-gap measure expires. Lawmakers must act before then to keep the government open.

The House and Senate are expected to pass another short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution, to extend funding. The standard process involves negotiating 12 separate appropriations bills, a task that requires more time and political energy than the current session has. With weeks remaining before control of both chambers shifts, a full funding package is unlikely.

The National Defense Authorization Act is also on the agenda. This annual military funding bill is currently stalled due to political divisions over the Iran war. A majority of Americans oppose the conflict, a factor President Trump acknowledged as a reason for his party’s midterm losses. Lawmakers must resolve these disputes to move the bill forward.

The House is likely to vote on an impeachment measure targeting Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The proposal was introduced by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie played a key role in forcing the administration to release the Epstein files. The impeachment charges include the claim that the administration failed to properly consult Congress on the military campaign.

Democrats, who will control both chambers in the new term, are not expected to compromise on major legislation. Bills such as the Protect College Sports Act, which regulates athlete compensation, and a bipartisan energy permitting overhaul will likely wait for the new Congress. Thin majorities in both chambers and low attendance following last week’s midterm elections add to the procedural challenges.

Mike Ricci, a Republican strategist for the group Seven Letter and former aide to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, said several factors may pull reluctant lawmakers back to the capital. These include closing out their offices, securing new employment, and attending the White House Christmas party.