Congress returned on November 9 for the lame-duck session, with Republicans still controlling both chambers for the 119th Congress’s final weeks before Democrats take over in January. The session could shape the Iran War, federal spending and the parties’ remaining priorities.

A key deadline is December 11, when Congress must extend or replace the stopgap funding bill; Democrats can block funding in the Senate and face pressure to use that leverage to halt or wind down the Iran War.

Rosa DeLauro said Democrats would not fund Trump’s war with Iran, raising the prospect of a funding standoff and a difficult holiday period for federal employees; Democrats could instead accept another short-term funding bill and resume the fight in January.

Rep. Thomas Massie is expected to bring forward a privileged impeachment resolution against Pete Hegseth this week, alleging illegal executive overreach in Hegseth’s pursuit of the Iran War and citing his handling of the conflict, the Pentagon’s Caribbean narcotrafficking crackdown and Department of Defense internal affairs.

Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats are expected to back impeachment, and two Republicans beyond Massie would be enough to pass it. A Senate trial could consume time during the lame-duck session, though conviction is unlikely without 20 Republican votes.

An impeachment vote could increase pressure on Trump to remove Hegseth and affect bipartisan negotiations over the Iran War; if Republicans block or postpone the vote, Democrats are expected to pursue impeachment after taking control of the House in January.

Some Republicans are pushing for a final budget reconciliation bill that could combine more defense or ICE spending, domestic-program cuts, tax benefits for GOP constituencies or election measures. Tight timing and the need for near-unified Republican support make its prospects uncertain, with Trump’s strategic choices likely to matter.

Before Democrats take control, Republicans may focus on confirming Trump’s judicial nominees, advancing a bipartisan permitting-reform bill and Senate-passed college sports legislation, and passing the defense authorization bill.

House Republicans are expected to choose between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan to succeed Mike Johnson, while some MAGA senators are considering delaying the Senate leadership election before deciding whether to challenge John Thune. House Democrats plan to elect their leaders on November 18 or 19, with Hakeem Jeffries likely to remain and a challenge to Chuck Schumer considered unlikely.

Reps. Jason Crow and Sam Liccardo plan to introduce a discharge petition seeking a vote to restore Temporary Protected Status for Afghan nationals in the United States, protecting them from deportation until mid-2029; Afghanistan’s status was rescinded in mid-2025.

Sen. Ashley Moody urged the Senate to use every remaining day to pass legislation on government accountability, affordability and protecting the American Dream.

Sen. Rick Scott urged lawmakers to work through holidays and recess days on a balanced budget, permanent reform, election security, the National Defense Authorization Act, the SAVE America Act and confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nominees.