Republicans are racing to advance their legislative agenda before Democrats take control of Congress in January.
From a looming government shutdown and another major spending bill to voter ID laws, permitting reform and the fight over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Matt Delaney looks at what’s at stake in Congress’s final weeks of Republican control following the 2026 midterms.
Congress is back in Washington this week for the first time since Democrats swept through the 2026 midterms. But Democrats won’t take over Capitol Hill until January, meaning Republicans still have five weeks left to bring the most out of this legislative session before they hand over control.
This is called a lame duck session. And yes, that’s a real name, and yes, these ducks have quite the to-do list.
The government funding deadline hits December 11th. And on Monday, the House Freedom Caucus sent Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune a letter urging them to use these weeks to tie Democrats’ hands in the next Congress.
The Freedom Caucus wish list
The caucus wants a stock trading ban that covers all three branches of government. It says the ban should apply to the president and his family. That was the Democratic demand House Republicans declined to meet when they took up a lighter-touch version earlier this year. It also wants Congress to codify President Trump’s border policies, writing them into law so they’re harder to undo, and voter ID required in federal elections. That means the rules on what officials can own and trade, how immigration is enforced, and how Americans can vote.
The Hegseth impeachment
Next, Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, brought articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They cover the war with Iran, civilian casualties, strikes on drug boats, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and more. Hegseth called the effort a farce and says he isn’t leaving. Massie first tried to push for impeachment in September, but Republican leaders sent lawmakers home early to avoid a vote.
On Tuesday, the House voted 211 to 204 to refer the resolution to the Judiciary Committee, which effectively killed it. Massie was the only Republican to vote with Democrats. Eleven Democrats actually missed Tuesday’s vote, more than the seven vote margin needed to pass it. Several blamed a traffic incident and a police escort, and one said she missed it by a minute because of a motorcade. It goes to show that if there’s one truly bipartisan institution in Washington, it’s D.C. traffic.
Permitting reform
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act aims to speed up the federal permitting process, which in its current form could slow down energy and infrastructure projects. The Freedom Caucus is asking for a robust permitting bill, and the Senate is considering one this week. Supporters argue that fewer delays could make it easier to build projects and lower electricity costs for households.
It needs 60 votes to advance in the Senate, but not everyone is on board. Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue. Some have raised concerns about changes to environmental reviews and historic preservation. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants more input from his caucus and changes before the bill moves forward.
One last reconciliation bill
Reconciliation is a budget process that lets the majority advance certain legislation without the usual Senate filibuster. Republicans have already used it to pass tax cuts, immigration enforcement funding, and changes to federal health care and food assistance programs. Now they’re discussing a third bill. It could include more defense funding. Pete Hegseth has asked for at least $350 billion of his own, and the bill could also include aid for farmers and $30 billion for overhauling air traffic control, which was requested by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The Freedom Caucus wants family tax relief, expansion of health savings accounts, and policies to lower health care costs. It would be paid for with at least $1 trillion in spending cuts, with any extra going to reduce the deficit. The caucus says the goal is to stop Democrats from using defense funding as leverage for expanding the welfare state. Once Democrats hold the majorities, this shortcut belongs to them.
Keeping the government funded
Congress faces a December 11th deadline to pass new spending legislation. If lawmakers can’t reach an agreement, the federal government could face another shutdown, which is a real possibility because Republicans and Democrats have made little visible progress on a broader funding deal. Lawmakers are unlikely to agree on a full-year spending package before January, meaning another short-term funding extension will probably be necessary.
But this funding fight could become much more complicated because of the ongoing war in Iran. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat, wants the next funding bill to bar money for U.S. combat operations there. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has signaled he’s open to using Congress’s spending power to challenge the war. In July, Senate Democrats blocked the annual defense bill 50 to 46 over the conflict in Iran.
That’s the dilemma. Do they force a fight over Iran now, risking a shutdown that could undercut their affordability message? Or do they wait until January when they control both chambers? The coming weeks could determine how much of President Trump’s agenda Republicans can still advance before the balance of power in Washington changes.
People were interested in these podcasts
See more from the politics team at The Washington Times.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.