Lawmakers instead punted the problem into 2022, with Republicans unwilling to help Democrats stave off the slices caused by passage of their massive party-line bill,” Politico says. “Congress routinely waives such cuts, but the issue became a political hot potato last year. When asked about Pelosi’s comments, he said: “I’m going to sit down and talk to my caucus about broadening the agenda for the lame-duck session.”Īvoiding Medicare cuts: Congress must also step in to prevent Medicare cuts that are set to take effect as the result of pay-as-you-go budget rules that require the cost of new legislation - in this case, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 - to be offset. The debt ceiling is “something that we will look at over the next few weeks,” he told reporters. Senate lawmakers are also reportedly likely to take up bipartisan election security legislation meant to make it harder to overturn the certified results of a presidential contest.Ĭongress must pass the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which sets the Pentagon’s policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Defense Department.

The Senate is set to vote this week on the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify same-sex marriage rights. The White House and Democrats also want additional funding for Covid-19 vaccines, treatments and testing but that money isn’t likely to be included in any year-end package.īeyond government funding, the to-do list before the 118 th Congress is sworn in on January 3 remains long. NBC News notes that, among the other lingering questions “is whether the Justice Department will get the $34 million it says is ‘critically needed’ to continue its criminal investigation of the Capitol riot on Jan.

Kevin McCarthy of California, the top House Republican who is expected to become speaker if his party eventually wins the chamber – are balking at the pricey contributions and are vowing to scrutinize more closely additional requests from the Biden administration, a dynamic that is dividing Republicans.” While that funding has bipartisan support, some conservatives – such as Rep. “For example, additional financial support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia. “Because the legislation must be passed, it could attract additional measures that Democrats want to clear during the lame duck session,” CNN notes. It’s less clear how lawmakers will address the need to fund the government beyond December 16, which may be the most pressing item on the year-end agenda. It’s clear that Democrats will keep a hold on the Senate and Republicans are likely to take control of the House - with a slender majority that portends lots of headaches for party leadership. Congress returns for a packed lame-duck session even as election votes continue to be counted.

Indesign adobe