Republicans plan an initial vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, but it faces strong Democratic opposition tied to frustration over the administration’s Iran stance.

High-stakes hearings continue for Trump cabinet nominees, including Todd Blanche in the Senate Judiciary Committee, as GOP leaders move to fill Graham’s committee seats to avoid vote-count issues.

Graham’s passing triggers shifts in leadership and committee rosters, signaling broad changes in both parties’ gavel assignments.

Democrats face major changes too, with retirements of Durbin, Peters, Shaheen, and Smith, and Klobuchar’s gubernatorial bid, pointing to new leadership for key committees.

Across the board, turnover and reassignment across committees are expected, reshaping the Senate’s dynamics regardless of election outcomes.

Several Republican senators—Ernst, Daines, and Lummis—are not seeking reelection, while Blackburn and Tuberville are expected to return home as governors.

A wave of retirements among Senate Republicans next year, including Mitch McConnell, Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and others, could reshape the GOP conference and alter committee leadership.

The week unfolds in the Senate after Senator Lindsey Graham’s death, beginning with the swearing-in of his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as the first sibling to succeed a sitting senator.